First Letter to Ian

On the night you came into this world
Your mother and I listened together
Hand in hand
To all our love songs
The water broke as the second one played
And we kept on listening
I felt infinite love for her
And let a tear or two surface and drop
(Unlike what others may say,
Men do and should cry)

We rested for a bit
There was lightning
We never see lightning in this part of the world
I wondered what kind of omen that was
Decided it was a good one
And went back to waiting

I will never forget your mother's face while she pushed you
The fiercest, bravest expression you'll ever see
All the fury and energy and power of every woman that ever walked this earth
A warrior you could not face
The primal forces of nature combined
No words will do it justice
It takes a lot to bring one of us into life

We saw your black hair first
Then you were out, eyes wide open
A blur of medical people surrounded us
But your mother and I saw just you
We cried the happiest tears
And held you a long time

A different room, a little rest
The early hours snowed the first winter snow
Wasn't it supposed to be fall?
I hope you like this world
It's weird and messy and full of beauty

Welcome now
There's much for you to learn
Know this, remember it always:
You've been loved from the start
Endlessly