No ritual act of grudging sacrifice,

This sacred giving back the child we dare to call our own.

No routine clockwork: 'Well it's always done.'

Forbid it, Lord, the sin of thoughtless prayer.

It's no mere plea for purity restored;

We come to bring this flesh of our flesh,

Miracle of self, incarnate here before our eyes.

Forgive, dear Lord, our deep possessive love.

Again, no time for naming: Catherine Ann

Completes our trinity of human love

With names we bear and gave.

Pray God she'll bear your son's name too.

August 1969

Chikankata, Zambia