One Day at a Time

One day at a time
Walking worn floors
Weak at the knee
Heavy arms bare
This weighty soul entrusted to me

One day at a time
A cup that is empty
Head and breast are so, so full
Burning eyes ponder
How to get through

One day at a time
My name ingrained on their lips
Precious lives, questioning hearts
They ask, I breathe, I pray
Lord, this world is so broken
Where am I to start?

One day at a time
This body is a home
In it I am the stranger
9 months then several years
Yet surrender is sweet when
My neck still catches their tears

One day at a time
Tired bones long for sundown
But the moon is a familiar friend
Waiting for new mercies, a new day
Soothing and snuggling
Unnoticed, these sacred years slip away

One day at a time
Heavy burdens, hearty laughs
They will never know
That I feel everything they feel
But the grace in this calling
Oh I know it is real

One day at a time
Firsts turned to lasts
Tiny toes turned to dirty trainers
I’ll wonder did I do enough
Haunted by the empty room whispers
Until moments are memories
Dancing in my mind
I’ll say it was so worth it
These days of swimming against the tide, one day at a time.

Photo: Reuben Smyth, Age 7
Squishiness: Asher Smyth, Age 3 months
Poem: Rebecca Smyth, Age 26