1/29 Poems

The Waiting Child

I saw you meet your child today
You kissed your baby joyfully
And as you walked away with her
I played pretend you'd chosen me.

I'm happy for the baby, yet
Inside I'm aching miserably
I want to plead as you go by,
"Does no-one want a child of three?"

I saw you meet your child today
In love with her before you met
And as I watched you take her out
I knew it wasn't my turn yet.

I recognize you from last year!
I knew I'd seen your face before!
But you came for a second babe.
Does no-one want a child of four?

I saw you meet your child today
But this time there was something new
A nurse came in and took MY hand
And then she gave my hand to you.
Can this be true?

I'm almost six!
And there are infants here, you see?
But then you kissed me and I knew
The child you picked this time was me.

by Debbie Bodie
Copyright 1997


THE WAIT

You're sending off for papers for a governmental file
While I wait.

You're praying that I'll be alright for just a little while
And I wait.

You're paying out your money and you're paying out your tears.
You're riding out your hopes and doubts and swallowing your fears,
You're growing more impatient as the time for travel nears;
I just wait.

You're wrestling the INS.
You're fixing up my room.
While I wait.

You're meeting social workers in a spotless living room.
And I wait.

I seem to know you're coming though I couldn't tell you how.
I feel the promise of your love as on your knees you bow.
I don't know I have parents, all I know is that for now I just wait.

You've gotten your referral and you've memorized my face
While I wait.

You've tucked me in your heart and in your home you've made a place.
And I wait.

You've made it now to China and your face is all aglow.
Your love is washing through me as you rock me to and fro.

As we start our lives together there's just one thing that I know;
I can't wait.

by Debbie Bodie
Copyright 1996