Children Through a Mother's Eyes

A strange thing happens to a mother
when she looks at her children,
and especially pictures of her children.

She does not see the grown man or woman of today
or someone altered by a cruel accident or disease,
No, not even one taken by death far too soon.

She sees the babe in her arms, newborn and helpless,
she feels the tug of a small mouth at her breast
or a tiny fist coiled in her hair.

She hears the first word and is filled with joy,
sees the chubby smile which made their hearts one,
and smells baby powder and sour milk and love.

A mother's mind is incapable of sorting
through time's troubles. bumps, quarrels and grief.
She only sees the child encircled by her arms, her baby.

Whatever happens, however time changes both,
the child will always, always be hers,
and she will always be a beloved mother.

Darlene M. Phillips (2010)

This poem was written by my mother after something that Janene said about David, and something Angie said about Nathan touched her heart.