SHARING...An Open Adoption Poem

September 4, 2002

SHARING...

In the stillness of the morning -

In the hush before the dawn -

A cry screams through the silence -

And a new life has been born.

And she wonders what will happen -

To her newborn baby girl -

How she wishes she could keep her -

And protect her from the world.

But she knows that there are "others" -

Who would gladly give the world -

To have the chance to hold and love -

Her precious little girl.

And she prays to God for guidance -

As she holds that tiny hand -

With the desperate hope that someday -

Her child will understand.

So she bravely signs the papers -

And the tears fall from her eyes -

As she signs away her baby -

The light inside her dies.

One last kiss she gives her darling -

For the "others" have now come -

To claim the life she gave them -

Now a family has begun.

And with heavy heart she watches -

As they hold "their" little girl -

How she wishes she could somehow share -

A small part of their world.

But she knows this will not happen -

That for her it cannot be -

And always she will wonder -

About the child she'll never see.

Now, the Times, they are a'changing -

And a new dawn has begun -

Soon ALL will be together -

Bringing hope to everyone.

acadiana...Elaine Rideau Tomlin -- Adoptee--copyright, 1985..Poem featured in Kasey Hamner's new book, Adoption Forum