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Sonnet to a Miracle

upon reading the recent news story here. 

They’ve named her Miracle, that new born child
found in the earthquake’s rubble, still attached
to she who gave her life though hers was snatched.
A neighbour cut the cord and Fortune smiled
upon this dusty innocent whose kin
were suddenly extinguished in a tomb
of debris where a dying mother’s womb
released the baby girl who lay within.
This infant is a talisman of hope
amidst despair where one brief touch of Death
has stilled so many, cutting off their breath—
a miracle to help the helpless cope.
Grow up, sweet daughter! Shun disaster’s blight!
You gave us faith, embrace Life’s joyful light.

.

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Paul A. Freeman is the author of Rumours of Ophir, a crime novel which was taught in Zimbabwean high schools and has been translated into German. In addition to having two novels, a children’s book and an 18,000-word narrative poem (Robin Hood and Friar Tuck: Zombie Killers!) commercially published, Paul is the author of hundreds of published short stories, poems and articles.

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18 Responses

    • Paul Freeman

      Thanks, Wayne. I tried to capture this moment a day earlier, but couldn’t do it justice.

      Reply
  2. Tonya McQuade

    A beautiful tribute to this little Miracle – one of the few brights signs amid the terrible, sorrow-filled scenes of destruction and despair. My teacher book club had just discussed the novel “The Beekeeper of Aleppo” on Saturday – hearing this news after having just brushed up on our history of the Civil War in Syria and the many trauma-filled refugee camps scattered throughout Turkey, Greece, and elsewhere has made this news feel even more devastating.

    Reply
    • Paul Freeman

      It’s one of those conflicts (the Syrian Civil War) that’s now more or less on the world’s back burner, Tonya. Now this major earthquake on top of it all.

      Unfortunately more than one miracle’s needed.

      Reply
  3. Paul Buchheit

    That’s a beautiful sonnet, Paul. One innocent life somehow rising from the devastation and providing a glimmer of hope. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Paul Freeman

      Thanks for reading, Paul. It’s a very affecting story amidst all the devastation and tragic history of that part of Syria.

      Reply
  4. Cheryl Corey

    Paul, I read about this in the news and was deeply moved, as you must have been to write this sonnet. I wonder if the child has any surviving family or what will happen to her. That she survived is truly a miracle. Let’s hope that she does become a “talisman of hope”.

    Reply
    • Paul Freeman

      That part of the world was short on hope even before the earthquake, Cheryl, but what are we without hope.

      I imagine there’s an extended family to take care of Aya (Miracle). Even if there isn’t, people in the Middle East have a strong sense of unity, so there will be plenty of families willing to take her in.

      Reply
  5. Brian A Yapko

    This is a very special poem, Paul, for a most remarkable survivor of inexplicable horror. Like you and the other commenters, I hope that Miracle will be a symbol of hope and rebirth.

    Reply
    • Paul Freeman

      Thanks for the comment, Brian.

      Let’s hope that this remarkable incident shines a light once more on the plight of the region and that the protagonists involved in the Syrian conflict can get together around the table.

      As for Aya (Miracle), here’s wishing her as normal an upbringing as possible.

      Reply
  6. Roy Eugene Peterson

    Wonderful tribute to the triumph of life. They should name her, Phoenix!

    Reply
  7. Joshua C. Frank

    It’s nice to see a poem dedicated to a baby in a world that, to say the least, doesn’t share this sentiment. Well done.

    Reply
    • Paul Freeman

      Thanks, Paul.

      In the face of such tragedy, I feel we need to take a moment to focus on the few miraculous moments, not just for the sake of our sanity, but to take a breather from being overwhelmed.

      Reply
  10. David Watt

    Thank you, Paul, for this fine tribute to the resilience of life in spite of overwhelming tragedy.

    Reply
    • Paul Freeman

      Thanks for your comment and for reading, David.

      Days on from the earthquake, the news of the extent of the death and destruction just becomes more and more unimaginable.

      Reply

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