October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. It’s likely that some, perhaps many, of the women you know have exeperienced the loss of a child. I’m praying I do a better job at listening to their stories, sitting with them in their grief, and praying for them even years after the loss.
My niece would have turned six last month. I can’t wait to meet her one day in Heaven. Here’s a poem I wrote to her in 2011.
I sometimes find music that perfectly fits the mood of my poems. This one feels like “Ljósið” by Ólafur Arnalds. The tune is sad and hopeful. You can listen to my poem here: https://quinaaragon.bandcamp.com/track/baby-jaharri
By: Tita Quina
“For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.”
(Psalm 139:13-16)
I miss you,
sweet niece,
I never got to hold
or see grow old.
I lack certainty
of when
it became real for me
but your picture,
when
at 7 months
you came with
your beautiful brown skin
tiny body
precious eyes
remains in my mind
And I love you
more than I
know how to express
Psalm 139:13-16
my rest.
