"He will progress toward retrogression..."
Such prognosis haunted me years ago
Causing agony to a mother's heart
Yet refining my faith* to radiate.
Now, my precious special child triumphs well
Empowering us toward thanksgiving
Since he gestures that stars are diamonds
as we praise the Lord God for his blest milestones.
*Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.
December 13, 2025
3rd place, "DROP THE CLICHE" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Nette Onclaud; judged on 12/25/2025
"He will progress toward retrogression..."
Mother's heart defied such prognosis
yet it reverberated, haunting soul
thus, faith cleaved to divine pillar
toward hope fueling functionality
surmounting spastic bouts
conquering seizures
then beholding miracles.
Now, milestones radiate
as special child drives himself
midst freedom bliss
maneuvering wheelchair
likewise taking steps with walker's brace
vanquishing mother's fear
toward triumph of impossibilities
enabled by God*, the divine anchor.
*Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
August 23, 2025
15th place, "Killick" Free verse Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Craig Cornish; judged on 9/5/2025
His radiant countenance
exudes vibrant thanksgiving
while cheering with jubilant glow…
yet, his lips couldn’t verbalize it.
So, here am I…
his Mom, in striving to talk about it
would rather poetically express
special child’s mirth of purity
upon learning that he is commended
for his achievement in his learning endeavor.
He was diagnosed with infantile spasm epilepsy
“to progress toward retrogression”
breaking my heart … 15 years ago…
Despite agonizing moments
along therapy sessions
he had emerged victorious…
Albeit angst in my motherhood days
his conquest helped me manage our partnership
propped by faith, marked with divine love…
Now, we are grateful to God
Who specializes in the impossible*
as he keeps on talking in sign language
about his delight for receiving a medal
while advancing fast with his wheel chair.
*Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
July 5, 2024
1st place, "I couldn't talk about it, so I wrote a poem" Free Verse Poetry Writing Contest; Sponsored by Silent One; judged on 7/22/2024
“He will progress
toward retrogression.”
Pediatrician’s verdict
reverberates…
Midst supplication
for more than a decade
mother’s faith conquers
fulfillment of prognosis.
Today, an art collage showcases
miracle, smiting skepticism
since nothing is impossible with God*
Yes, it's a masterpiece
exuding divine care and family love
signed by my special child’s heart...
defying “He will progress toward
retrogression.”
*Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
June 1, 2024
10th place, "What of ... a pearl?" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Craig Cornish; judged on 6/3/2024
The Song Of A Poet
(Dedicated To Amirah Akilu)
The song of the rain
Preaching us to farm
And be workaholics!
The song from the stream
Administer us to refresh our life
For being good and aesthetic!
The song voices by the birds
Is the most beautiful and sexy
How that it could be?
'Tis twirling lights tonight
And even when the sun born the rays
O! They sing to crown-molding!
I'm gleeful for being with you
As the preacher of our thatches area —just
To make our togetherness in the future
What is life when feud friended?
Life wouldn't be continued murmuring
But it will be in a regular retrogression.
Have mercy to each other
And not forget about the Almighty God
In any colour you blink thy eyes
Stand very chubby for His shaping
Because one day it will be no more
And it will slip away in your life.
© Muhammad Abdulhamid kumo
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy blight
To progress toward retrogression strain
Our special child was spastic day and night
Struggling along restlessness’ grievous pain.
His global developmental delay
Marked by seizures that caused wearying shake
Made us constantly alert all the way
Aiding him, compassionately awake.
He is now fourteen, showing milestone leap
Driving wheelchair amidst triumphant zest
Learning much along good hygiene to keep…
His orphanage life proves miracles’ best.
God's love* surmounts disability’s need
With caring kindness, heart is surely freed.
*1 John 4:16 - And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
May 23, 2023
1st place, "Sonnet" Poetry Writing Contest
Sponsored by Sotto Poet; Judged on 6/12/2023
Edited on June 13, 2023
Come, dear child
Soar high with me
Toward zestful freedom…
Let’s zoom above
Unchained from wheel chair
Along blissful delight…
Fly with mirth-filled laughter
As you welcome exploration zeal
Propelled by courage to let go…
As paper plane beholding your art work
I witness your functional advancement
Assisted with faith's loving guidance…
Keep on moving up by God’s grace*
Surmounting diagnosis 13 years ago
That you’ll “progress toward retrogression.”
*I do not frustrate the grace of God…
August 31, 2022
Surmounting boundaries
my special child
freely soars
toward development targets
pressing on persistently
maneuvering his wheelchair
against obstacles!
Triumphantly ascending
along hope gear with prayer-wings
my son exemplifies milestones’ possibility
midst God’s boundless grace*
defying asserted diagnosis:
“progression toward retrogression”
vanquished miraculously by trust’s altitude!
Now overcoming downfalls
cheered by loving support
he keeps on persevering
succeeding with patience
while inspiring my stewardship service
for divine faith-flight…
wondrously liberating!
2Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
June 16, 2022
Not feeling well out of vertigo’s affliction, I requested our special son to pray for me: “Please ask God to heal my headache.” After gesturing with his branded “praying hands” amidst unintelligible supplication, he affectionately hugged me, then gently kissed my forehead. Confidently, in sign language, he thanked the Lord, then clapped with earnest glee … affirming that I would be alright. Grateful to the Saviour, my heart leaped with bliss for this child in our orphanage, who at 9 months old was declared “to progress toward retrogression” due to infantile spasm epilepsy, global developmental delay, and cerebral palsy. Now, he is 12 years old and triumphing with milestones along unconditional love, while constantly being prayed for and lavished with kisses whenever he is sick.
faith* in the Lord shown
mimicked by child with delight~~~
beatitudes at work
*Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
November 29, 2021
2nd place, "Haibun- With A Message" Contest
Sponsored by Charles Messina; judged on 12/17/2021.
“He would progress toward retrogression.”
Such brought to my mother’s heart confusion…
Though fearful with its grievous repercussion
I trusted the Lord for His compassion.
Hope glowed midst special child’s diagnosis
Radiating optimistic prognosis...
Shown now in his wellness-analysis
Reigning God’s goodness of grace-synthesis.
As he drives himself along wheelchair zest
I’m humbled by divine miracles best
Surmounting my doubts, checking faith midst test
Thanking Saviour’s healing* to the fullest.
Luke 9:11 “And the people, when they knew it, followed him (Jesus Christ): and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.”
August 15, 2021
2nd place, "Your Favorite August 2021 Poem" Contest
Sponsored by Constance La France; judged on 8/31/2021.
Revolving around LOVE indeed…
that’s life as glanced by our special child
blessed by God*, the source of precious breath
and the author of wondrous existence…
Such is proven while beholding his miracle-filled survival
anchored by compassion nurturing him against diagnosis
of “progression toward retrogression”~~~
upheld along care enveloping his being
despite “congenital anomalies”~~~
beautified through comfort supporting him
though afflicted with cerebral palsy~~~
asserted in sign language
expressing his grateful gestures toward
guardians and friends in the orphanage
now serving as his dear family…
I pray with faith for that perspective to prevail
since LOVE of the LORD reigns!
*2Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.
March 10, 2021
5th place, "Life At A Glance" Premier Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Mystic Rose Rose; judged on 3/12/2021.
Growing up midst deficiencies to overcome
our special child is indeed a victor
bringing blest hope
as divine cheers.
Gaining milestones against disabilities’ angst
he keeps on learning, showing advancement
negating physician’s diagnosis
that soon, he will “progress toward retrogression…”
Should we deny the miracles
surpassing medical experts?
Steadfast faith* works
yes, the Lord heals.
*Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
March 2, 2021
1st place, "ALL YOURS (Mar 6)" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Brian Strand; judged on 3/6/2021.
“… Progress toward retrogression…”
yes, I questioned diagnosis with mixed emotions
as fear swelled over courage, striving to prevail
yet, faith in God* surmounted my motherly qualms.
Now, our special child in his wheel chair zooms toward progress
singing praises to the Lord in sign language blissfully.
*Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
February 20, 2021
edited on June 24, 2021
3rd place, "Bite Size Poem no.9" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Line Gauthier; judged on 7/2/2021.
and now, colour blots whitewash on blanched wall; yesterday distanced from today’s gale—on the facade, from where, towards the end, faced face down time’s row in anticlockwise retrogression; the beginning from the end ends in the beginning, with each footprint laced—crowned in blue daisies, we giggled out “Oh! My God” as fleets of golden butterflies twinkled in broad daylight... I recall—a cyclone had begun, wafted us aloof
one deadwood
makes no woodland
terracotta shrub
and the struggle continues—like shadows in blank places and distant church bell gongs in the eclipse of our eyes like the moon and sun in a miniature wedding day—an endless abyss submerges the hollow of a burning ring with a gully wind rush through the needle’s eye as we dig deeper into dark secrets of our cardinal sins; apple's taste becomes acrid, putrid strawberry on coiled lips, whiffs of death scented coarse roses, stowed underneath sloshes of salt-waterfalls
wooden chest
bullets from her razor lips
words bank
Agonizing over boy's incessant seizure-attacks
grieved with girl's lamentable worthlessness' woes
caring mother, heart-wrenched, weeps… frightened...
helplessly witnessing oppressive wrestling bouts against restlessness
her son’s infantile spasm epilepsy and daughter’s paralysis
now obviously progressing toward retrogression...
Yet...with love for her children, clinging in faith to GOD
Who knows what's best for them
she can verily triumph* with peace
to prevail against misery!
*2Corinthians 2:14 "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ..."
February 12, 2019
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