When my child first stirred
I loosed the barbs that bound my heart
And raised my arms to catch the miracle.
When my child first breathed
The words I spoke fell blissfully
In a language I had never known.
When my child first walked
My steps quickened in a surfeit of joy
And I raised my arms to catch the magic.
When my child first loved
I held her heart in mine
Bade her my joy
And loosed the threads that held her tight.
Still I long to bid her stay.
About the Creator
Marie McGrath
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Animals
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Love Letters Through Time
Context: Grace (Gráinne) Gifford, was a participant in the Irish nationalist struggle against British rule, which led to ‘The Easter Rising’, Easter Monday, 1916 in Dublin, Ireland. She was betrothed to one of the leaders, who were due to be executed the morning after being taken prisoner. Joseph and Grace were married the night before in his prison cell. Joseph (Seosamh Pluinceid)) was one of the leaders of The Rising, a signatory of the Irish Proclamation and, in death, a revered Irish hero. These are my imaginings of ‘her’ final words to him. I include a few words in Irish Gaelic as the movement that led to the rebellion favored speaking Irish, instead of English. I would wager a guess, as they were both poets and writers in the Irish republican movement that she would have chosen to marry her love of country with her love of him in expressing her devotion.
By Marie McGrathExclusive • 11 months ago
Comments (1)
what a beautiful poem of caring for a child and letting go... this poem speaks to a profound knowledge of love - as always-- lovely!