For Sophia

Now and then
My eyes light on the whisper thin scars
On the backs of your hands…
Reminders of when a tangle of wires and tubes
Kept you alive.

And I remember…

Riding the wave of fear
As they pulled you, tiny and fragile
From my womb.
Stifling a sob
As reality hit...hard and brutal.

For weeks, a bubble encased
Your twiglike limbs
Keeping you safe…
Helping you heal and grow.
I stood helplessly by.

For 71 days
You were as much
Machine as child…
We rode that wild and
Twisting rollercoaster together.

There were times
I didn't think you'd hold on
But you were strong...
And now it's like
You were always here.

Your homecoming was
Like emerging into sunshine
A whole new world.
My little one
I love you.

Mummy