The Earth Turns South/Birthday

by Clement Richardson Wood

BIRTHDAY

Today that earliest miracleComes to my memory again—Of thirty years ago, when firstI breathed, in the old way of men.

Out of a woman's agony,Out of a loving—and a pain—I budded forth, to take my fillOf the earth's excellent domain.

There was a time I was not I,But alien things, that clung and blent . . .Now I have grown, and trod the dust,And I am weary . . . and content.

For I have seen the miracleHere in my own home's dear domain—Another life, my first-born, budOut of a loving—and a pain.

September 1st, 1918