I Am Restored
He lays nestled in my arms, on the verge of niggling
I gaze at him, eyes meet and we hold
He is young, so young not yet a year old
He knows nothing of attentiveness or active listening
But he returns my gaze, my interest
I murmur-words, of no meaning to him
Just gentle undulations of tone that barely break the air
A soft and gentle lullaby to soothe
He watches my mouth and returns to my eyes
I smile He trusts
There is no fear 
No objection
I am captivated
He is fascinated
Mutually we create a timeless cocoon of togetherness
Delicate invisible strands join us
Nothing else creeps into this space we have found for ourselves
No one else just now
It is strong
It is healing
It is of the creator
He closes his eyes safe and content
He sleeps
He trusts abundantly
It is comfort
It is peace
I am grateful he gives to me this gift of time, of precious memory
He is not my child
We have no biological connection
We have a spiritual connection
We share the same Father
For now, I am his guardian
I have sworn a silent vow
With every fibre of my being I would keep this child safe
As safe as I am able
In this exchange I am the winner
His mother enjoyed an all too brief rest
He slept
But I am restored
Set back upon my feet to stand tall with all Womankind
Women who are empowered by the giving of themselves to others
Knowing the She-Cat-Calm of Wife, Mother
In quiet strength Caregiver, Nurturer
Photographs © Matt Stanford
Words © Denise Stanford 2010
Within the Vine 