Baby

Baby,
I kept you close and warm; I protected you with myself.
I felt you grow and turn and kick
with tiny little feet that danced on the inside of my belly
I wish that I could keep your little eyes closed
so that you wouldn't have to look upon the pain in this world.
I wish that you could wrap your hand around my pinky finger
so that you always have someone to hold on to.
I wish that I could always sing lullabies into your tiny ears
so that you won't have to hear any of the lies
that so many people will whisper to you
I wish that I could hold you close
so that you would know the rhythm of my body
the beat that you were born from
the baseline underneath your eyelids
the soft thump thump thump that you danced your little feet to on the inside of my belly.

I wish I could take all your innocence and tie it to your ring finger so that you could promise not to lose it.
I wish that you would understand that I will always be here
I'll be your rock to cling to when the tsunami waves rise
when the ocean tries to claim you
remind it that you're a child of the earth
I'll be your good morning kiss
the first thing that you feel
so that you can remember me the whole day
I'll be the string to your kite
letting you soar on the passing breezes
but keeping you tied to the ground

I would apologize for this world, but you wouldn't understand.
I wish I could phrase the lessons I've learned so that you wouldn't make my mistakes
but you are just as unique as I was
and if you're anything like me
you're not going to listen, anyway.

I'll leave you with this:
don't be afraid to stand up for yourself or speak out for what you love.
Falling in love is just that- falling. You don't do it on purpose, and once you do, you hope to hell that you don't hit the ground.
If you lose yourself, remember that you just have to go through the maze of your mind to find your way back to your center.
And that I will always be a warm hug on a cold january night.
I'll pull you close to me, stroke your hair, and say that I love you.