The Mystery of a Newborn by Nancy Deacon

As I look at you with your parents,

A baby just born.

I wonder…

Who are you?

What will bring you joy?

How will you be in this world?

I marvel at your ability to be in this moment…

Trusting your senses to tell you how to feel, to be

What do you want to tell us about you?

What do you need?

What clues do you give…

That reveal the mystery of you.

Reflection:

I was inspired to write this poem after learning that April was national poetry month and the theme was mystery.  As a physician and pediatrician, I have always been drawn to the mystery of humans. How do our bodies work? How can they be fixed?  What do people need from me and how can I help them?  I have enjoyed the search for the clues. As a pediatrician, newborns have long held a particular fascination for me. Learning how to observe their behavior, describe what I see to their loved ones, and giving newborns a “voice” has been a delight and professionally rewarding. I believe it has been so helpful in discerning the mystery of each newborn. The recent birth of my granddaughter is fresh in my mind.  I had the opportunity to meet her and help my grandsons get to know her which was so special for me and I believe for them.

Every day working as a hospitalist in a newborn nursery, I have the privilege of meeting newborns and wonder and marvel with their families.  I wanted to write this poem as an expression of gratitude to Berry Brazelton, Kevin Nugent and all the faculty who have shared with me their knowledge of newborn behavior and all the parents who have shared their precious babies with me.