Three Babies

Poem written by neighbour at Dulverton Hall.

Three Babies

Graham lies sleeping so safe in his pram,

Maureen his mother is content with a smile.

Grandma comes close saying, "sweet little lamb",

Blue eyes soon open: he gurgles awhile.

Pounding the coverlet, fists cause some joy,

One year from now will his toes feel the sand,

Hear of the sea as he plays with a toy.

Wondering eyes now explore tiny hand.

Kofi is strapped to his siter so small -

Trailing their mother to market for chop,

Noses are twitching at smells from the stall.

Sister whose weary she asks, "Please do stop."

Church is a good place to rest and give suck.

Kofi awakes; his brown eyes open wide,

Sister sits proudly - her mother has pluck.

"Home for the meal?" Kofi's cloth is retied.

Joseph leads Mary on Jerusalem Way,

Clutching her Son with her eyes full of love,

Together they mount up the temple stairway.

Coster will sell them two holy doves.

Simeon Priest today holds up the child.

Offerings taking he thanksgiving sings,

"Now I have seen and rejoice reconciled,

Salvation God gives us; Born is our King."

Notes

This year I (i.e. Audrey, my neighbour) I would write a poem about the Presentation in the Temple. On seeing the children on the beach and in church here in Scarborough, I decided to begin with one of them. Neither of the names refers to any particular person. Then I thought, "Why not also include a Ghanaian child?" They are often strapped to the back of an older sibling, some quite small. Ghanaian markets are full of exotic scents fromonions, peppers, fruits and spices. Food is often called chop. Mothers usually buy food there daily and during a church service they will breastfeed their babies at the back of church. In the first century the entrances to the Temple were up wide staircases into the outer courtyard where the money changers were and the sacrificial offerings were sold.