She Held Him Close (A Mother's Day Poem)

She Held Him Close

She held him close,
her living breathing miracle baby,
His wailing softened, his face relaxed, peaceful sleep came,
Finally she wrapped him in linen clothes
And tenderly laid him in the feed trough

She held him close,
her rambunctious, energetic toddler,
He clung to her and his tears from his scraped knee began to dry
Finally she kissed his owie, washed it off
And gently laid him in his bed.

She held him close,
her growing, school boy
He hugged her and his heaviness began to lift
The boys who had called him names began to fade in his mind.
Finally she squeezed him one more time
And lovingly led him to his room to nap.

She held him close,
her strapping teenage son.
His muscles rippled as he hugged her back
It was the brief hug of a teenage boy but a strong hug nonetheless
Finally she let him go
And laid out a large plate of figs and nuts.

She held him close,
her carpenter man.
His sweaty robe was no offense to her
He held her tight in a Mother’s day hug,
Finally he let her go because she could not let go,
And headed out on his Father’s dangerous mission.

She held him close,
her crucified boy
His wounds gaped open, but his eyes were closed.
Her tears washed his bloodied face
Finally she let him go
And carefully she laid him in the clothes of the grave.

She held him close,
her glorified savior
His wounds visible but transformed
His mission accomplished, His smile a mile wide,
Finally her old, weary arms let him go
And carefully he laid her down
Soon to see her again face to face
Where he would forever hold her close

- Larry j. Walkemeyer (all rights reserved)