Your Preliminary Breath

Celebrating the birth of a child. A Genethliacum Ode.

Your preliminary breath
perhaps screamed
as you're shot into our world of sorrow and joy
sounds your triumphal entrance
so long awaited
since first you swelled your mother's belly

Before you such dangers
in some span unknown of life
such opportunities
to love, and to be loved
sometimes with an intensity
that will burn incandescent within

With others interact, as you share
or compete
climbing the steep precipice
towards your personal goals
whatever they may be
slipping or scaling
moment by moment
breath by breath

Breathe
little one
partake of all that is around you
live well

A Genethliacum Ode, written for the Poet's Place group

GROUP

The Poet's Place   (E) Poets can discuss, review, request reviews, etc. of their unique form of writing. #1937699 by Jay O'Toole

A Genethliacum Ode is a poem written in honor of the birth of a child. Usually, these lofty odes were reserved for the birth of nobility. However, technically any poem written in honor of the birth of a child would qualify as a Genethliacum.

Source: https://www.poetrymagnumopus.com/topic/1893-thematic-odes/#genethliacum