CADEAU

By Nolan Moon


When the boy infant had come forth,

Out of the woman and drawn his first breath;

God gathered up the puling child is his hands, and went to the man and spoke as a friend.
"This I give unto you Man.
He is blood of your blood, bone of your bone. He is of you.
Though he will cling unto his mother from birth until death,
He will know you as his heritage.
No matter who may influence him?
They can never turn him away from you.
For this is my gift to you,
The only proof that you ever walked the earth.
Though he is of you, he is not you,
Though he has a portion of your soul, you have no claim on his.
Hold your tears while he is. Small and loosen them when he needs reminding that you love him.

For this promise I make to you,
And you will know I have kept it true, For when his voice has ripened, his first utterance will be; A call for you,

For he is yours, as you are mine."