A Poem to My New Grandson

Welcome to the World, Baby Boy!

Your mother is so brave
and now a part
of the sisterhood 
of women.

Women who bear much pain
who exhale much energy
who hold hands with 
one another
in the rhythm 
and the dance
and the 
tradition
of the ancients.

I heard their cries echoing 
in hers.
I heard their joy in her laughter.
And I felt the dearest 
presence of those
who have
felt the rhythm
and danced the dance
before her.

There they were--
holding their breaths
bearing down through
the pain.
Cheering her onward.
Cheering you, too.

Into this world, Baby Boy!

Feel the breath 
of God
in your nostrils
and
listen to the voices of
your grandmother
and her mother
and hers
and hers.

Hear the choir sing
their heavenly song,
"Welcome to the world,Baby Boy!
You who have much to do.
Many lives to change.
So much 
history 
to
create."

With one final push
Two arms reaching out
Two hearts
beating--
one on top of
the other ...
... life begins anew.
It begins again.

Your mommy is so brave
and you are so
loved.

Welcome to the world,Baby Boy!
copyright: Eva Marie Everson, 2012