For Nellie Sage
Nellie Sage entered the world on June 30, my first grandchild and daugher of Aster Chalmers (my youngest daughter) and Brennan Shoberg. I am beyond grateful for this miracle!
For Nellie
On the day you were born
A single rose, the softest of pinks
Bloomed near the top of a climbing vine
That transformed my garage into an English cottage
On the day you were born
A mourning dove visited my garden
Settling on the brown mulch
Between the wood violet and purple columbine
Cooing your arrival.
I know that mourning doves symbolize peace
May you bring this gift to a world in need
An innocent babe with decades ahead
To love and be loved, change and be changed.
On the day you were born
Joy poured into my world
A tiny being
with sapphire eyes
to see the world’s beauty
with rosebud lips
to speak the world’s mysteries
with perfect ears
to hear a mourning dove cry.