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My daughter is suffering with Postpartum Depression. It is a cruel disease.




I Love Her

6:30 am 

Mom, I am coming to you
I am tired and full of fear
I am without sleep
I want to die
Mom, help me.

She comes to me with eyes swollen;
tears cling to her pale face,
lips trembling,
hands shaking,
wanting something
only a mother can give.

I listen and try to comfort.
With only three hours sleep myself,
I struggle for the right words.
My baby is hurting;
I want to hold her in my lap.
She is twenty-eight.
I am fifty-four.
She is my daughter.

I love her.

She is suffering with
Postpartem Depression
after giving birth to Daisy Catherine.
She struggles to get through each day
and through those long sleepless nights.
I cannot make her all better.
I cannot just kiss her "boo boos" and
make the world good again.
I can only listen, guide, and love her.

And I do

Love her.

She finally sleeps on my couch
covered in a quilt. Warm and safe.
I wait and listen to her breathing
to hear the sound of deep sleep.
I am brought back to times when
I nursed her at my breast. Let her sleep
on my chest. Hearing her breathing,
knowing when I can lay her down.
It is the same feeling as I tip toe
out of the room and call her husband
to tell him that she is okay. He is relieved.


I lie down in my bed and pray for her
healing. Please God heal my child.

I love her.

Kathy Lockhart
12/30/06

 

 





Poetry by Kathy Lockhart
Read 771 times
Written on 2006-12-30 at 21:38

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Daybreaker
Absolutely beautiful. How difficult it must be! But what strength!

I hope your daughter feels better soon!

Great write!
2007-01-05


Colin Skilton
This brought teasr to me as well and i am so sorry that your lovely Daughter is suffering.
I hope with time and prayers and lots of love she will recover.
Best Wishes
Colin
2007-01-04


Arti
I'm truly sorry for what you're going through. Post-partum depression is cruel... it is when a new mother should be happiest. I'm glad your baby has you alongside her and with her all the way, she'll come through fine.

And please give Daisy an extra cuddle for me... :)
2006-12-31


wee2souls
the love of for your child ,,there is no other that compares,,,
your love for her is only a mothers love knows
I feel for your Katie and I have been there and in time it will get easier as it is a process,as long she has the support and care as you show what love is for your baby!! she will get by I promise you...loves and hugs and give her one for me!
love you both
cindymac
2006-12-31


lastromantichero The PoetBay support member heart!
Katherine

With a mothers love demonstrated in this extremely moving text she will pull thruogh I guess

but it is hard I nkw best wishes and caring rgds for you both Michael xxxx
2006-12-31


liz munro The PoetBay support member heart!
I am sorry that your daughter is sufferring.

I know she is a kind and wonderful
person like her mum.

A beautiful expression of a mother's
love for their child.

liz
2006-12-31


binesh
A very touching poem , Kathy .May God heal your daughter soon.
2006-12-31


Xuxa
A strong and heartfelt poem. It hurts when we cannot help the ones we love in the ways we would like to. I hope your daughter gets through this with your support. Excellent write, Kathy.
2006-12-31


Phyllis J. Rhodes
This brings tears. I know where you are in your heartache and your own battle of the mind and spirit. Our daughters are being attacked and so, we rise up with all the heavy hands of depression, worry and panic pulling at us, and we move toward our children, ploddingly but progressively. Nothing is more important, nothing is stronger than that love that pulls us toward our hurting child. We may need rescuing ourselves but we will be the rescuer for our children. Just as Jesus was, nailed to that cruel cross, beaten and stabbed, crying out to his own Father, he rescued us.
2006-12-30



They call it Post Natal Depression here in England, if it the same thing kathy? I do feel for you and your family, your daughter will come out of it I feel sure. Is it her first I ask myself? parenthood is a very scarey responsibility and panic attacks are a No One problem amongst young people it seems to me at the moment anyway, so such a combination can reek havoc when children come into the world. Depression in itself is a constant presence amongst writers and artists the world over, it is what feeds the creative fire imo, not always but a great deal of the time. You are doing the absolute best for your baby and babies baby. Congrats on being a great mother and grandmother and poet!lol

Smiling at you,

Tai
2006-12-30


Rob Graber
Very moving, Kathy. Best wishes for her and her loved ones.
2006-12-30