A New Parent

Before you were here

I’d often imagine

How I would protect you.

Protect you from pain

Protect you from oppression

Protect you from heartbreak

Protect you from all I’ve heard.

Right now, as you stretch

Your tiny arms from within,

I want to cry knowing just

How much I want to protect you from.

Once you are in my arms

I hope I will cry

Because of how beautiful

Your life can be.

But when you are here

I know I will cry

When I think of how

Little I can protect you from.

I’ll be there through every step

Every smile, every laugh,

Every fall, frown, and cry.

And I hope you know, my sweet boy,

How much I want to protect you.