Happy Birthday, Will

FOR WILLIE*

When you were born I wept tears of joy.
He is so beautiful< I said
To your mommy, my girl.

You had been so cozy you didn't want to come out
Even though we walked around the block through the snow.
Up and down the stairs at the wintry Chicago shopping mall,
I bought some new snow boots, and you yawned and said,
"Not yet..."

We cooked a turkey for Thanksgiving and gave thanks that you were coming
And hoped it would be soon.
And you got a little more comfortablr and said,
"Not yet..."

We watched the little kids talking to Santa, and wondered when we would see you
on Santa's knee.
But you were so comfy, that you stretched, ans kicked Mommy in the ribs, and said
"Not yet..."

I bought a warmer coat and we went to buy a Christmas tree.
Quickly because the freezing wind blew across the prairie
And you said "NO way", and stayed inside.

Sometimes you would pretend and we would dare to hope
that soon you would come out so we could meet you.
But after an hour or a night, you would stretch and say,
"Not yet..."

We bought more baby blankets and fixed your bassinet and I knit you a little suit.
Uncle Matt and Uncle Tim and Pop called from California and said,
"Why are you still there? When are you coming home?"and I said,
"Not yet..."

Daddy tried to go to work but everybody said, "why are you still here?"
And all he could say was,
"not yet..."

Finally the doctor said, "We'll do a test and if he moves a lot, we'll see..."
And you were sound asleep.
But the next time he did the test, he woke you up with a very loud noise
right next to your ear.
And you opened your eyes
And kicked your legs
And punched Mommy in the ribs, and you said
"OK, it's time now."

From Ahmi--December 17, 1998

*A poem I wrote for Will's first birthday. Today he is 16 and worth the wait.