To a child

Were I but allowed, my love, my only

I would give you the world

And you would never be lonely.

I would hug you and kiss you,

Hold tightly to you and say

My dearest one, my comfort, my love

Never leave me, please stay.

Forever mayhaps, if the universe wills

If the universe wills, we'll go on our way

But fate is fickle and minds can change.

I'll release you into the world and stay

Here at home, wishing, hoping, loving from afar.

You'll come back with tales of adventure

Aglow with a love of you own

And someday, these words I say

Will be repeated by your lips

To a young love of your own,

A child whose perfection will outshine the sun

And you will say "I will love you forever,

These soft baby eyes, the inquisitive look,

The growth and maturing, the love of a book."

Until one day, when I am old and quite grey

Your perfect child will go on their way

Leaving you as you once did me

And so the cycle goes through every century.