Amanda times two

Well the first post was a screw up.
Amanda was a baby who was born with too many defects to survive, but she lived on the pediatric unit where I worked in 1990. We all fell in love with her.

I wrote this poem after she died, it was published and won an award, but I just like the way she went to heaven in my poem.

I hope you enjoy it.

Amanda ............bye, bye

Its quiet now....no beeping, no whirring, no mechanical bellows...
The struggle is done.
No arching and twisting to get the O2s...
The tethers are gone...
No strings to attach..
And the many mothers of Amanda scream silently......"NO!"

A gossamer substance seeps into the sterile corners and nooks...
The fat little cherub of valentine cards blends with the mist...
Lace filigree air fills the void...
Vapors of life rise,
And the many mothers of Amanda scream silently......."NO!"

Atoms and molecules take shape in the clouds.
A mother goose bird with a puggy young rider emerges.
The fat little fingers cling tight to the down,
And the many mothers of Amanda scream silently ......"NO!"

The frown on her forehead is wiped off by the breeze...
The rosebud mouth breaks into a smile that puffs out her cheeks,
Eyes twinkle.....as feathers and skin become one.....
And the many mothers of Amanda whisper silently..........."NO"

The wiggling toes turn up in delight and giggle sneaks out,
Now two, now some more....
She throws back her head and squeals with delight as
they circle the stars and drink milk from the "way".
And the many mothers of Amanda say quietly........"go"

The infant turns slowly....looks back at the earth,
She sits up on her own now,
no straps to restrain,
With straight wrists, like all babies, ...she waves...bye, bye
And the many mothers of Amanda say quietly.............."OH NO"

The bird prepares for descent....
The babe leans back...feet facing up front...face turned up to the sky,
and the maiden flight of her spirit begins......

And the many mothers of Amanda silently say............OH.