“hope Realized” (For Kenna) Poem by Keith Sutton

She had her baby tonight
this blonde beauty
who once rode proudly
with her Dad
in his green 1948 GMC truck—
she was a child.

I remember—it was the good old days
in Stillwater.

But today is her day.
She paid the price
in labor—
most Mothers do

She suffered
and moaned
and screamed
and prayed for mercy.

Only to discover
her prayers
(however long or short they seemed)
were soon answered.

Briggs he was named—
six pounds—
nine ounces.
born many hours later.
at 6: 54 pm
Saturday
June 7.2008.

The pain of delivery soon forgotten and
the memories begin
for the couple—
Kenna—
Derek—
who ventured
and willed a new black-haired child
into this exciting opportunity
we call life.

When she was younger
she thought she might be the first
Mother among her cousins.

Then despaired
then triumphed
as warriors often do—
and she did it today—

for a miracle
she thought
like the virgin Mary
(hope against hope
despair against desire)
that it might never come.

But it did
a black-haired peaceful jewel.

His story—
Briggs’ story—
yet to be written.