Life and death are born together
One brother sucking the other’s thumb
Neither brother able to relinquish his embrace
For all of this has happened too early, too soon.
And you, who have looked at the sky all your life,
Have never understood how distant are the stars
Nor how brilliant their light
And you, who have stood so long upon this cinder,
The earth, have never known how sweet and lush
Her new growth, how deep and fractured her chasms
How delicate the hair upon your beloved’s neck
And you, whose body has outlived its finest hope
Did not know how such a tiny child’s soul
Could encompass them all
Have never before felt how something so broken
Could be made whole again.
© Joanne Osborne-Paulson
December 29, 2007
******
At just after 11 PM, he was carried to Heaven in the arms of the Angels, where we will meet him again one day. At 520 grams (1 pound 2.4 ounces), and 33 cm (13 inches) he was wee, with 10 fingers and toes, and a full head of hair. He was a perfect, but very tiny baby.
Holding your family in my thoughts.
Abiding…
Abiding with you.
Oh, tears and tears…
I'm sorry that I missed Gabriel's day. I have been thinking about you all, though, and this wonderful, heartbreaking post says everything.
"And you who have looked at the sky all your life…"
Thinking of you and your beautiful family.
Thinking of you and giving you strength to get through this tough time. What a beautiful but heartaching poem.
xx