My middle daughter, Katherine, is waiting. We are all waiting for her baby to be born. His due date is Sept. 5th, so he will be here soon.
Last summer in August, Katherine had a miscarriage. It was tragic, yet her doctor told her then that she expected she would be holding a baby within a year. The day after the procedure, I took Katherine to a little yarn shop to pick out yarn for a blanket. I have been crocheting prayer shawls and blankets for the last few years. She said, “I’ll pick out the colors, but I don’t want you to make a baby blanket.” That was her sorrow talking. The blanket above is complete and waiting.
One method I often use for finding my way into a poem is to observe outside, then go inside, and back outside. Driving home a few weekends ago following the Mississippi Book Festival, I looked outside and inside and outside for this poem.
So We Must Daily Keep Things Wound
(title from a Madeleine L’Engle quote)
I love how the raindrops
glisten on glass
dotting the landscape
green and awake.
I keep the cell phone charged
ready for her call
when cramps turn to contractions.
I wait, want, worry.
I read somewhere that the egg
for this child was planted
in her womb from my womb–
this curious circle of life.
I keep my eyes on the clouds
fluffed up and pregnant
with rain, more rain.
It keeps on coming.
(draft) Margaret Simon
NCTE Note: I’ve registered for NCTE 2019 to be held in Baltimore Nov. 21st-24th. I am looking for a roommate. Let me know by email if you are interested.
Reflections on the Teche 
What a beautiful post. I hope you print this and keep it for your grandson. Love to you and Katherine and your family as you wait and enjoy his arrival.
Oh, the hope in the making of that magnificent blanket – and oh, the healing in working and writing through the pain. What grace, Margaret. I celebrate this new life with you. Thank you 🙂
A special poem and an even more special blanket! (You’re so talented!)
I hope things go well for Katherine during labor and delivery so that she — and all of you — are holding that sweet boy soon.
The blanket is beautiful and waiting – I love this. The anticipation and hope is evident in your piece today, I hope everything goes well.
We wish your daughter all the best. One more day 😊
Beautiful thoughts, Margaret, so encouraging, full of life and hope. Thank you for the quote; it suited me this morning. I think “grandma anticipation” of a new wee one defies words; one must experience to understand. May you and yours be blessed in this wonderful season of your family.
Gorgeous blanket from a loving grandmother! Not long now…
Wishing all of you the best! It sounds like a hard year but now coming to a beautiful time for all. Take Care and sending energy for an easy birth!
We have a two and half month old grandson. Mother working her way through breast cancer during the end of the pregnancy so we understand the pain and heavy hearts. All is well here as I expect it will be for you in a few days!
Sending love and hugs!
Having grandchildren is so full of joy and love. Yet we suffer along with our children when things are hard. All my best to your daughter.
Congratulations to you, Margaret, and to your daughter. I love your act of faith in picking out the yarn and trusting the doctor as you stitched this lovely blanket. Enjoy the new baby. 🤗
I love this poem and your process of looking out, in and out. There is such a sense of stirring promise in your first stanza, and the blanket epitomizes that perfectly. What an exciting time for all of you! (Oh–and the quote is fabulous, especially the line you highlighted. Thanks for sharing it.)
Margaret, your words are so beautifully crafted today as is your baby blanket. It will become the comfort for a little one as he/she is cuddled in love. Another grandchild is a gift from heaven. This stanza speaks to me:
I read somewhere that the egg
for this child was planted
in her womb from my womb–
this curious circle of life.
What a beautiful thought!
I can’t wait to hear that the little one is here. May the Lord bless your family with a smooth delivery.
Margaret — This is lovely and sad all at once. I’m sending positive, loving thoughts to you, your daughter, and the wee one to come. — Christie
I love all of this – the poem, the blanket, the waiting, the quote. I love that you, her mother, took her through the pain to choose the colors for the blanket she needed but didn’t want. May the baby arrive safely & soon!