For Sophie     * Tá buille nua le mo chroí, agus is breá liom é

My darling      
it's almost like you robbed the gods    
of all their beauty      
when you passed through their nebulae        
on your way to bless us        
       
this world lost some of its shadows      
the moment you screamed out your first thoughts        
and brought the tears from your mother's eyes      
       
and princess  
        
it was no surprise for me        
to feel your tiny hand wrap around my finger      
but when I whispered your name        
and your eyes opened briefly      
to compliment the small curled up smile        
that came, then lingered for a poet's lifetime        
you took the breath of me      
       
but in reality, I'd have gladly given it anyway      
       
girl  
      
when you're a little older      
we'll both hunt hidden treasures        
that fill pages        
and we'll spend an age finding out what happened next      
to this one or that one  
or jump on a ship that's on its way  
past suns and moons      
     
but Sophie  
      
when it rains, and all you feel is wet      
remember you've me for shelter      
and all the other hearts        
that beat a little bit harder from the sight of you        
or better yet      
we'll both go stamping in the puddles        
and we'll shout at the grey clouds        
then I'll put you sitting on my shoulders        
so the sun can hear us    
when we call it out to play      
       
and finally  
        
please promise me, you'll always be Sophie        
never less than who you are        
no matter who it is that begs it of you        
you're no one's trophy, nor should you ever be        
or ever feel a hand strike in anger        
or walk blindly        
while you have me to guide you        
because I can swear an oath with ease        
that these two hands that hold you        
will plough through any man, beast or god        
should you need them to        
       
       
*There's a new beat to my heart, and I love it