Welcoming a New Baby

I have been away from Poetry Friday since August and am delighted to be posting again. I was worried I’d be too rusty or my website wouldn’t know me. But now as I write, it seems like I never left.

My little grandson was born in a big rush two days before Christmas, eight weeks early, miles away in California and the sea.

So my husband Bart and I left snowy New York

for chilly northern California.

In the December Christmas Poetry Swap organized by Tabetha Yeatts, I received this lovely poem written by Tabatha. She knew I was awaiting my first grandchild.

EMERGENCE
      for Janice by Tabatha Yeatts

A New Baby,
like a sky vibrant
with the northern lights,

draws us together 
where we gaze 
exhilarated

upon this gift--
The world,
Illuminated.

I love “like a sky vibrant.” Every child is so different and each “illuminates” the world in a new way.

But now, on January 31st, Tommy Bartholomew has been with us a month. He was born quite early, and we were so worried! But thankfully, he is fine, and will be able to leave the hospital soon.

I wrote this in response to Tabatha’s poem:

FOR TOMMY B. 

we will watch; 
wait each day
as this new star
marks his path.

Will we understand
what he brings 
from so far away?

We will make sure he knows
he is part of a family
and we have been waiting
breathlessly to meet him
 
in our world of oceans,
rocks, and endless sky.


©Janice Scully 2025


POETRY SISTERS prompt:

Tricia, one of the POETRY SISTERS suggested we write a tanka followed by a haiku in response to it. It was written in honor of the doctors and nurses in the N.I.C.U at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. It was a wonderfully supportive place, kind and professional.

THE N.I.C.U. December 23, 2024

in between two worlds
a tiny boy, eyes still shut,
cannot leave here yet.
kind nurses swaddle and feed,
keep him warm and safe.


sudden arrival!
doctors hustled late at night,
work that never ends.

© Janice Scully 2025

I’ve anticipated claiming a new little word this year and I think it has to be HOPE. Hope for all babies, all families, hope for our country. I’ll see what I can come up with. Happy Belated New Year, everyone!

11 thoughts on “Welcoming a New Baby”

  1. New gran Janice!
    Wonderful to credit the caring medical staff who often don’t get that praise.
    And, I’m awash in good glorious feels, reading little Tommy’s arrival story, Tabatha’s “Emergence” poem in beautiful celebration of his very special birth; your response to her is so happily heart-shivery:

    “will we understand
    what he brings
    from so far away?”

    And during all your travel, turmoil & triumph, you completed the PoetrySisters challenge with brilliance.

    Congratulations to all, but especially Tommy, for wisely picking such a fine Family.

  2. Janice, it is so good to have you back! Congratulations on the birth of sweet Tommy. I’m so glad he is healthy and home. Your tan-ku is a beautiful tribute to the hardworking doctors and nurses in the NICU. Yes, indeed, there work is never done.

  3. What wonderful news, Janice! So happy Tommy is doing well and there is a new star in the universe. And here’s to the HOPE we all need right now.

  4. I am glad to see you back and to hear more about Tommy, home soon! What a long wait for his parents and all the family. I love your ‘hope’, and I hope that you’ll be sharing more and more about this sweet grandchild. Grands are a joy in our lives! And, you should send that poem to the medical staff, who will adore it, Janice!

  5. Beautiful post Janice, filled with lots of hope and newness, especially for your new Grandson Tommy, many congratulations to all! Your response poem to Tabatha’s assures Tommy lots of love and wonder to come, thanks for sharing all!

  7. What a completely joyful post! First congratulations. A new grandbaby is such a hopeful event. I’m delighted for you. And, what beautiful poems from Tabatha’s capture of our watching to your awe of the new little one…”we will make sure he knows…” Thank goodness for those nurses and doctors who don’t ever end the work.

  9. Janice, I am so glad that Linda B posted about your new arrival. I backtraced just to hear the news. Tabatha’s words to you bright light to the miracle of birth.
    The world,
    Illuminated.
    May your Little Tommy B. fill your hearts with a light that shines brighter than the stars. Congratulations on grandparenthood. It is a sacred calling.

    1. Thank you, Carol. Honestly he has been such a total bright spot in our world. You know what it’s like to look at a grandchild’s face. We watch every video over and over! 🙂

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