Oratio: For My Mother

Born into this world
through water and flesh
my mother’s arms
held and comforted me
wiping my tears
and giving me strength
until I could reach
for the Lord
entering the waters
of baptism
dying to the flesh
reborn of the spirit
with and in Christ
in whom I find comfort
He dries my tears
and gives me strength
forever
none of which
would be possible
were it not for my mother
from whose flesh and blood
my life was first formed

~Robert Van Valkenburgh