On the Birth of a Son
For Hugo

You cannot be the person who
I’d be, if I could start anew      

for you must learn the hard way too
how even love’s a poisoned brew

I cannot live your life for you
but I can suffer when you do

and hope the hurt is less when two
share the grey burden of regret

I cannot choose your loss for you
or carry your mistakes, it’s true

but I can mourn as you must do
and though I know you won’t forget

the pain you haven’t caused as yet
I pray to be the person who

can learn your sorrow’s alphabet
and pray the prayer which halves your debt

Tom Vaughan


If you have any thoughts on this poem, Tom Vaughan would be pleased to hear them.