This Child

(for Gabby - the love and pain of bringing a child into a fallen world and a broken family)

A child should be
In innocence speaking
Love, and of fear
Tender, crushing
Leaves of soul
Hands to moulding
Hearts to forge

A child is
In innocence shaping
Teasing spirit free
Guilt in making?
Pride in guiding?
A child should be...
A child is...
This child will be...
Dreaming, bending - like me?

This child will be
All and nothing
Gleaning something
From the torn and withered leaves.
Innocence speaking - No child should be...?
Innocence shaping - No child is...?
All and nothing -
This child could be...