Son, if my breath were mine to give.
If I could spend more than a ragged few
to welcome and say goodbye to you.
If we knew your mother could live
without or with this choice. Go in peace,
I sing, and He has sent you here,
then come Himself achingly near.
His hand upon my shoulder, I release
you with my blessing and my name.
How, from so slight a father’s touch
can I miss you, miss Him, this much?
Was He homesick too when the same
call to save sent His son away?
Hush little baby, and your heart
stops racing, stops. We start
life over: His breath into our clay.
