Damian

Damian darling,
son of mine
joy and happiness of life,
light of my cloudy days
and nights.
Little toddler so sweet, small
yet so strong
with such power
how can I endure this pain of partedness
with the squeals of your delight
still echoing through these still
silent walls
tearing
burning
hurting this mother's heart of mine.
Oh, baby son of mine
how did I spend the hours
before you came to me
and where was I
when I was not with you.
Now, as I sit
this ache within my breast
waiting
hoping for that peaceful moment when,
once more
I hold your baby's flesh
to me again
and flow this love
welded up inside of me
into your own heart.

by Any Marie George

Damian, grandson of the famous Salish chief Dan George, caught pneumonia and had to go to the hospital. For his mother, Amy Marie George, this separation was very painful and she wrote this lovely poem about him.