To My Children

By Barbara Thorne, City College Plymouth

To my children,


My dear children from another.

My womb is barren, my nerves are shot

I could not bear, nor push, nor squeeze.


Heartbroken to live a life alone

For years of loneliness I was dealt.

A life of solitude, to shrivel my heart

Hardening my caress and caring ways.


Then one day I was blessed.


For my dear children from another.

I did not bear you in my womb

Nor did I push, nor squeeze.


But for me, this does not matter

For me these are incidental.

For my love for you holds no bounds

It surpasses time and space.


Now I am blessed.


For my dear children from another.

A shrivelled heart no longer yearns

Sorrowful tears no longer gush.


Your love and hugs have filled my heart

Your laughs and giggles have cracked my shell.

Your quirky ways have awoken me once more.

The gift of joy you have bestowed.


My dear children from another.

Our bond is not maternal

Ours is so much more,

For the love we share is eternal.