Niamh
Some hours ago the water fell
To christen you, to work its spell
And wipe your slate, we hope for good
But now your life is sleep and food
Which, with our love will, by your leave
Suffice you now, our darling Niamh.
This happy birth, two thousand years
Our harbinger of peace, endears
Weaves webs of steel to bind our hearts
A laser light to pierce the dark
Darling child, my dream come true
We celebrate this day for you.
Ravelling strands of families mesh
In love knots of two minds, one flesh
Our future’s not our own, we’ll weave
An in-law maze, we’ll nod and wave
With trust: and silently we’ll pray
So this is a billet-doux to say
That on this warm mid-summer’s day
Cradled on my lawn you lay
While all around the raucous sound
Of laughter echoed in the mind
Your loved ones celebrate with food
Your birth in Christ at Cherrywood.
Our journey through this life, this fate
Ordained as by a friendly state
From Avenue to leafy meadow
Track of forebears, free from sorrow
Come and join our happy throng
We’ve waited for you for so long.