The Voice of Her Mother- My Daughter's Gift

I've written the lyrics to two lullabies for my daughter, Shereen. I even made up the tunes, and I'd sing to her when she was a baby to put her to sleep. She still remembers those songs at 19 years of age. For my birthday last May, she wrote this poem as a gift....just like last year. The quoted parts are words taken from the lullabies. I adore my daughter, my greatest and most precious gift. “When she smiles, I feel like a bird in the sky.” The words softly sung to the weary child- This bundle of whimpers This armful of distress- Hoping they’d ease her restlessness Hoping they’d calm her disquieted heart… And they did. Like nothing else ever could. Nothing could comfort her Like the voice of her mother. “She is the apple of my eye.” Rocking gently in time with the tune, she swiftly fell Fell into a peaceful slumber Nuzzled in the warmth of her consoler Whimpers softened, distress vanished Quiet. Serene. Floating in the promise That those words would be there To welcome her in the morning. Nothing could comfort her Like the voice of her mother. “With laughter and joy she fills my heart” Nestled in that kind embrace The child, now almost grown With tear-stained face and heavy heart Couldn't fight the world alone But whenever she was breaking, too tired to go on She’d search for those same words- To ease her restlessness To calm her disquieted heart… She’d search for those same words To find them in those same arms. And she’d fall. Like she always did. Fall into that peaceful slumber Quiet. Serene. Floating in the promise That those words would be there To welcome her in the morning. Nothing could comfort her Like the voice of her mother. Written by Shereen Nathalie Ghali (May 18, 2014) Please read The Month of May...which is Shereen's first birthday poem written for me and posted here. You will find it if you type the title in PS's search engine. It is a beauty and is in rhyme.