Fragile Emissary

Sometimes you read something and you wonder if that person somehow read your thoughts and put them into writing for you. I stumbled across this poem while reading another blog about a mom and her kiddos, including a beautiful girl with Down syndrome. Instant tears.

Our Fragile Emissary

by Nancy Tupper Ling

With modern screening and such
they wonder why
you’re here, on this earth
in our home
and in our arms,
after all, anyone
with any sense would have resolved
this problem of you
pre-birth, pre pain.

Blonde Beauty,
tiny as you are,
you catch their stares,
strangers’ second glances
into tender baby blues.
And your young
sweet ears hear whisperings
(“Down’s,” “defects”)
words dropped loosely
at extra-chromosomed girls.

With such stinging receptions
how we long to shelter you,
surround you; keep your
gentle smiles to ourselves.
Instead, we hold you
up, for others to see;
let you, our fragile emissary
speak to an imperfect world.

I hesitate to put this responsibility on you, for you to advocate for yourself and for Down syndrome, but I can already see how you have changed those around you. You show people that life goes on, despite diagnosis. You show people that you are capable. You show people you are worth loving. I love you, Rowenna, my own fragile emissary.