Goodbye, lullaby

Goodbye baby,

gone to grace

out of my body.

Save a place

beside you

till i come.

Though i be waiting

long and long

till i come home, dear,

i will come.

Whatever years

are set to pass

may you and i

grow in grace,

grow in love

for Him we love.

You were a gift,

a pearl, a rose.

I do not own

nor would i wish, dear,

to steal your love.

Your body,

your small heart,

were never mine.

But i am yours:

i was your mother,

for a time.

Little rosebud,

you were housed, dear,

in my skin:

I was your bread,

i was your wine.

You breathed my breath.

Your life in mine

was a rich gift.

And at the end

my blood washed your flesh.

i own no part in

your small heart.

i carried you
for a few days--
carry you still, but

it is not your face

i shall best love

when I come home.

But i shall love you, dear,

when i do come.

Little gift, little pearl

you were not mine.

But i was, dear,

your mother,

for a time.

The Poet Asks Forgiveness

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