A Child is Born
by Nancy Ness

Today a child was born,
Life's first breath vivified;
From womb his essence shorn,
With mortals to abide.

Those eyes of innocence ~
A cherubim at rest,
Observe with hesitance
The world his entry blessed.

His untouched canvas waits
To host a masterpiece
Of hues time's brush creates
From life-long verities.

Are infants' palettes clear?
An age none can recall.
What does he see and hear?
It seems he now knows all.

My artistry's his gain.
I'll sketch as I know best,
Add colors from life's main,
Yet he must paint the rest.

With years of strokes in blend,
His portrait gathers form ~
Base tinctures of my tend
With shadows of life's storm.

To paint his future bright
Would be my fondest dream
To lend his shadows light
Engraving Sunshine's scene.