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| The two-fold strength that joins in loving union . . . |
As another year draws to its close, we once again celebrate Christmas together as a family and - for the adults of our household - continue with the well-established tradition of exchanging representations of each other rather than purchasing gifts.
Fathersong II is my Christmas offering to our older daughter Gina. It poetically reflects on the extraordinary privilege of both participating in the arrival, growth and maturation of a beloved daughter, and of witnessing the arrival of another generation as our own children enter into parenthood.
Fathersong II. For Gina Sarina can be streamed using the media player above. A CD quality mp3 file can be downloaded here.
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| The precious caul so prized by ancient mariners. . . |
THE POEM
Fathersong II
For Gina Sarina
And then they came, descending slowly
The silent snows, heralds of heaven’s purity,
Within, you dreamed in warm and windless waters.
The waves arose, edging you closer to our world.
Your sail, soft shield against time’s hidden storms,
The precious caul so prized by ancient mariners,
Held well all through the strongly growing tide.
The morning light soft-touched your filmy face
Skilled fingers reached beneath your cherub chin
To raise the lucent veil, release the stream
Of living water by which you travelled here.
Soon came the smile, followed by the laughter,
The step that turned in time into a dance
That joyous whirled all through our waiting lives.
All these and more declared your soul’s vivacity.
Reaching to the life outstretched before you
You gathered feathers, twigs and shiny stones
All as friends, conversing one with the other.
And then came horses, firmly held and led,
Your gentle strength unawed by fire or size
While in your room, the heroes of the day,
Early lights that rose then fell within a breath
Pranced upon the walls, contending for attention.
What is it that endures, transcends all time
Beyond the transformations of the child?
Wherefrom the threads that draw us to our other
The two-fold strength that joins in loving union
That brings new life in to our waiting world?
Each new birth a gift of love repeated,
A mystic turning of the open page,
A tender touch beyond all comprehension.
Your wide and patient travels gave you strength
And openness to all that life accords.
Your heart has drawn the many to your side
To bathe in kindly light and breath of joy.
Your love is of the sun that freely shines
To warm and comfort all within its field.
For long the sons of heaven we have known
But now we see the daughters’ days begin.
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1. Fathersong I. For Sofia Celestia
Fathersong I is my Christmas 2017 offering to our younger daughter, Sofia. It offers a poetic account of her remarkable entry into our lives on a star-filled night three decades ago, and is a celebration of her strength and courage in the face of life's unexpected visitations.
2. A Song for Emily
A Song for Emily was written and performed as my Christmas 2018 offering for Emily, our beloved daughter-in-law and mother of three of our beautiful grandchildren.
