Family Forum / Parenting / Adoption / May 2006

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.

Elaine Rideau Tomlin--Adoptee
Composed, 1986
Published  in "Adoption Forum" by Kasey Hamner
This poem was written to strongly support the concept of Open Adoption.

I lived in New Orleans when Katrina hit, and lost everything in the flood.
Everything I have ever written since I was eleven has been destroyed...even
the book, Adoption Forum, is gone.  My home is now gutted, FEMA has denied
us the funds to repair it, and my husband and I are living in a rented
trailer in Lafayette, Louisiana hoping for a miracle.  At least my family is
here with me..two daughters and two small grandsons, and Katrina has taught
me that family is the only thing that really matters.  I have lost dear
friends in Katrina..and precious family pictures, but I am grateful for my
family.  I'm feeling really down right now.  But I just subscribed to this
newsgroup, and thought...perhaps I could share my poem.  And that makes me
feel better.  I've stopped writing since Katrina...I just can't seem to do
it yet...still trying to get my life back...but, I'm going to
try...hopefully soon.  Thanks for allowing me to share this with you.  Take
care and God bless,
                     Elaine