Ten years ago

[Guest guest]

Troy's birthday is coming up on September 21st. Ten years ago, shortly after the tragedy of 9/11, I sent him this poem I wrote as a birthday gift to him. I am sharing is now because ... well, I don't know why. Just to share, I suppose.

TROYFor a few short momentsI held you in my armsabsorbing you, memorizing you,pouring a lifetime's worth of loveinto you.A few short moments is all it tookfor the sight of you,the scent of you,the innocence of you,to triumph over the pain and the fearof you.In those fleeting moments, you -who insisted on leaving my bodythree weeks before you were due -promptly made yourself at home in my heartas though you belonged there."It's time." the nurse pronounced too soon,and with helpless, wrenching sadnessI wordlessly handed you back -back to the stranger who would take you away,away from my world, from my love.From that time forward,you would belong to another motherand a father who would care for you as their own,who would provide for you and love youin ways that I could not.Time passed; days dissolved into weeksthen years, as you continued to claimyour rightful place inside my heart,bathing it in light and lovewhile my tears commemorated you.Then you, my son, suddenly reappeared in my life,now a magnificent young man,bringing me gifts of love and acceptance,healing my wounded spirit andrevealing love's triumph at last.