"You"

For my daughter Vesper, on her first birthday

Before you were a spark between two sighs,
I wanted you.
Before you were a twinkle in our eyes,
I liked and loved you, child.
Before you were discussions in disguise,
I would lay my needs down for yours.

Before God formed you in your mother’s womb,
We wanted you.
Before the ultrasounds showed You in bloom,
We liked and loved you, girl.
Before we met in our delivery room,
We would lay our lives down for yours.

I took my being seriously then.
We take your being seriously now.
We asked for you, received you to be ours.