Butterflies & Battle Cries

From inside the belly

a butterfly flitted

and wings were developed

as bump soon emitted

 

The feeling of joy

as belly it grew

full, round, and right

I will take care of you

 

All had gone well

till one day it turned

Emergency care

Gestation adjourned

 

“We’ve run all the tests.

We don’t know what’s wrong.

Call people who care…

they may not have too long.”

 

Slice went the knife

‘cross soft supple skin

the babe all distressed

from the chaos within

 

Low platelets they said

HELLP affects oh so few

the coast isn’t clear…

I will take care of you

Weeks wore on

while weariness waned

the butterfly’s wings

were awfully strained

 

“Can he do that?

Will he do this?

Hang in there, Mom.”

There’s something amiss

 

Milestones missed

Words not a’coming

The butterfly’s stuck

It was not becoming

 

Not spreading its wings

not learning to fly

every day every night

it would cry cry and cry

 

With willpower, wit, and

a dose of some grit,

we coddled those wings

and helped them to lift

 

The years they progressed

so did little boy blue

But troubles, they deepened

I will take care of you

Along came some seizures

and migraines to boot

Help this boy to be healthy

twas our only pursuit

 

Travel here travel there

in search of some hope

But healing, it seemed,

was a slippery slope

 

There were remedies tried

and therapies too

Vitamins, medicines,

spend a thousand or two

 

Any thing for this boy

with his sapphire eyes

We must try everything

and not compromise

 

Some said just give up

live your life do what matters

They don’t understand

Without him it all shatters

 

That quiver inside

that became my boy dear

He matters the most

and that’s crystal clear

 

His thoughts though they’re there

autism locks them up tight

through frustration and fury

we’ll fight the good fight

 

For words he can’t say –

for when cruel ones dismiss –

I will stand by his side

keep him from the abyss

 

Though the wing may be rent

the spirit is true

A strong light lies within

I will take care of you

 

In my world he flies high

and his love makes me soar

I’ll keep trying to help him

now, forevermore

 

Heartaches they still come

& woes multiply

I WILL NEVER GIVE UP

that is my battle cry

 

On that bed years ago

we almost passed on

but God had a plan

and we did carry on

 

My butterfly’s bright

He’s bold, brave, and sweet

I’d give him the world

in one brazen heartbeat

 

When at night I tuck in

see his eyes brilliant blue

the heart speaks its words

I truly love you

---