THE MOTHER AND HER CHILD
My little child, l love you much.
I cannot live without your touch.
I am the soil; you are the plant.
Your roots are inside my fond heart.

I want you, dear, to grow so high,
to kiss the clouds to reach the sky.
I give you all the sap to grow
though l am staying down below.

I feel so glad when l look up,
but sight can't help me to that top,
where your sweet eyes look down at me,
but those loved eyes l cannot see.

Go up; don't care for me, my dear.
Your roots are still recalled so near.
When l miss you, l ask my heart
to hug your roots and calm my sight.
BY JOSEPH ZENIEH
____________