From the World of Ed Stackhouse

You cannot know how much I love you,
As I hold you in my arms tightly.
You eyes look at me, shining mirrors,
I see me in your deep blue oceans.
The reflection is only the good,
The stains of my life are not seen there.
As I hold you in my arms tightly,
You cannot know how much I love you.

My love, I see in you what I saw,
When first I gazed in your mother’s eyes.
The gentle creature, so lovely and kind,
Your mother’s love, fragile as your form.
She saw the reflection your eyes show,
No stains of life seen looking at me.
When first I gazed in your mother’s eyes,
My love, I saw what I see in you.

Your little hand grasps my finger tight,
I dare not to move my hand away.
What thoughts do you think as you squeeze tight,
As you look at me with eyes so bright.
Your skin is soft like a gentle snow,
Your hair is soft like the finest silk.
I dare not to move my hand away,
Your little hand grasps my finger tight.

Your face does not smile at me today,
Your tears like spring time rains are falling
What saddens you my love, my darling,
Is it food? A change? Your sleepiness?
Whatever it is, Daddy is here,
I will make it better, I promise.
I will dry your tears that fall like rain,
And your face will smile at me again,

There is no way to understand it,
For you are far too young to know it.
I love you now more than you can know,
Every day it grows stronger and full.
When older you grow, you will know it,
When you hold your own babe upon your lap.
But now you are far too young to know,
You have no way to understand it.

-Ed Stackhouse