FORGIVING THE FUTURE

as a parent you are always

saying your goodbyes

to the humming baby

on your breast

to the shaking

steps of toddlers

to the clammy hand

on your wrist

to the trembling

tears on your chest

forgiving the future

for spiriting away

the baby your body

created with tenderness

foretelling the forthcoming

that the children

will wander off

how you will

keep them

for decades

silently snuggled

pining to nurture

in the dusty corners

of your long forgotten chest

as a parent you are always