Monday, April 17, 2006

Attempt to Mark the Death of a Child

one cell,
this soft cell,
colonizes my arms.

The ribs of the cradle
breathe empty now.

Nova is a star
leant only to the morning,
to guide first sun across the horizon
and illuminate the lavender sky.

This singular colony of cells,
a living breathing form,
with all the bright promise of morning
and the final glimmer of starlight
leaves his baby glow
along the crest of each new day

to light the places we once were joined,
the spaces he once filled.


11 comments:

Erin said...

Moon~
I am so touched that you've written this for my son.
The lines:

The ribs of the cradle
breathe empty now.


and

to light the places we once were joined,
the spaces he once filled.


especially caught in my throat. I'd like very much to post this on my blog, and to print it out as part of his Book of Memories, with your permission, of course. It's just so fitting, so perfectly sentimental. Thank you for writing it.

burning moon said...

I'd be honoured to be part of his book of memories Erin.
I'm glad you felt some sense of him here.
He was a precious little life, and a beautiful baby.

Erin said...

Beautiful, consider it added.

Pris said...

This is indeed beautiful. I've been following Erin's most difficult time and her son's death on her blog. I'm so glad you wrote this for her.

Lyle Daggett said...

So beautiful, so deeply moving.

Thank you for posting this.

burning moon said...

Hi Lyle and Pris, thanks.

Unknown said...

Moon try recording this for me pleae. Try ODEO. Let me know if you have questions. I will walk you through it.

didi

JC said...

moon, it's good to hear you read this. wonderful poem! congrats on being #2.

burning moon said...

hi Jill, thanks for checking this out. It's always nice to hear from a fellow kiwi.

Erin said...

Oh Moon, it's even more wonderful read aloud in your own voice! I'm so glad you recorded it!

burning moon said...

Hi Erin, thanks for listening to the recording. I'm glad you liked it.

Reading aloud is not my favourite thing, so not something I do all that often. But I wanted to try with this.