These two poems I think pair up well together.  The first written to celebrate the birth of our first grandchild five years ago, the second written last year after a visit and time spent with him and his two brothers.

Nathaniel's Villanelle

Now welcome into this world little one.

You know no-one, nothing yet,

Yet from Him who knows all you come.

 

Your father, your mother also become

What they will never forget.

Now welcome into this world little one.

 

Asleep deep within yourself new born son

You know no hazard, no test.

Yet from Him who knows all you come.

 

Soon begin your first smiles, first playing fun.

Mixed with first niggles and frets.

Now welcome into this world little one.

 

Soon to show and quest this life's conundrum

That for all mankind is set.

Yet from Him who knows all you come.

 

Rest awhile till the time is right to run

For reward, and grace to get.

Now welcome into this world little one.

From Him who knows all you come.

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Children

My children are no more, grown, gone from, to

A world now foreign for this fading soul.

Sometimes we meet and exchange points of view.

Too few the flowers from these late life strolls.

Their children now our watch, while wondering

The wonder of our loss, in small worlds found,

Worlds filled with naughtiness and questioning,

Where grown men gaily get the runaround.

Generations have learned to do this dance,

Where bright eyes lighten up the fading one.

His weariness assuaged by such a glance

While little lips and hands forge sweet union.

Sour souls they must be who would prefer

That such weariness and loss never were.

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