Our children are only lent to us. We have the opportunity to give them all the life skills and tools they need to become the very best version of themselves.
We feel unsurpassed warmth and joy,
When that bundle is given to us, girl or boy.
Children are not ours to own or keep,
They are lent to us.
In awe we watch as they develop and grow,
At every milestone with pride we glow.
Children are not ours to own or keep,
They are lent to us.
We take that warm, little hand
And help the tottering steps in the sand.
Children are not ours to own or keep.
They are lent to us.
We spend many hours at school
To cheer our child on the field or pool.
Children are not ours to own or keep.
They are lent to us.
We instil our values of right and wrong,
To partake in a community where they belong.
Children are not ours to own or keep.
They are lent to us.
Then suddenly arrives that dreaded day,
When we cut strings for them to fly away.
Children are not our to own and keep.
They are lent to us.
Appreciate the invaluable part we played,
In the time that little one in our home stayed.
Children are not ours to own and keep.
They are lent to us.
14th August 2013
Teresa Denton (1941 – 2014)
Teresa was a community health nurse in Johannesburg, South Africa. She loved writing poetry and her HIV collection of poems is available on Amazon.
‘The Perfect Mum’ is one of Teresa’s favourite poems
