Quickening

Already your bones have formed,
Toes, fingers, and eyes adorn,
Your slender, fragile, transparent frame,
Though we do not yet know your name,
We love you.

Already your tiny heart's beating,
Umbilical life — an intimate meeting,
Of total dependence, without any shame,
Though we do not yet know your name,
We love you.

Already your little legs are kicking,
Response to voices or some inner yearning,
Our lives will never be the same,
Though we do not yet know your name,
We love you.

Already we are counting days,
And long to be familiar with your ways,
The day we sensed you is the day joy came,
Though we do not yet know your name,
We love you.

Already we have parental tears,
Fueled by all parental fears,
Greatest joy amidst the greatest pain,
Though we do not yet know your name,
We love you.

**** This one goes back 14 years...to when my wife and I were Expecting our first son, Jonathan.