God made you out of a puff of air –
Somewhere from heaven near to earth –
Mingled you with all my dreams
Bound with tears left from my youth –
Caressed you with truth’s own breath –
Washed and pure, wisely blessed –
From millions of silver seeds,
Purple gems, strange yet lovely fruits
Fed your ivory-cells with sweets and
Flowers, scents and wines.
He bubbled you to life out of poems once divine;
Filled with prayers all mine –
From laughter, song, dance and golden fields,
Hot spice and tiny birds, then he took your
Soul from his own heart, your blood from rhyme
Yours hands, eyes, mouth, feet, your skin, tongue,
Cheeks, ears, legs, back, spine, guts and voice,
Bones, hair, teeth and lungs from all
My kisses given to your father.
Then god made you mine.
From ‘The Silver Hooves’ a selection of poetry by Shänne Sands