For My Daughter

i loved you

before

i was conscious

of anything

before i dreamt of you

thought of you

wanted you

or held you,

i loved you

in every way i knew how:
the way

i had been loved

the way i had not been loved

the way i wished

i had been loved

the fullness

and the void

of love i had known

or yearned for

over lifetimes

and ages

all poured into

my love for you

i loved you

with ferocity

and wholeheartedness

unspeakable joy

and unbearable torment

as only one

who gives birth

can love

her child

11^th december 2011