Poem to a Downs Syndrome Baby

This poem was the inspiration behind the children's book, "My Sister, Alicia May", by Nancy Tupper Ling.

Our Fragile Emissary
by: Nancy Tupper Ling

With modern screening and such
they wonder why
you're here, on this earth
in our home
and in our arms,
after all, anyone
with any sense would have resolved
this problem of you
pre-birth, pre-pain.

Blonde Beauty,
tiny as you are,
you catch their stares,
strangers' second glances
into tender baby blues.
And your young
sweet ears hear whisperings
("Down's", "defects")
words dropped loosley
at extra-chromosomed girls.

With such stinging receptions
how we long to shelter you,
surround you; keep your
gentle smiles to ourselves.
Instead, we hold you
up, for others to see;
let you our fragile emissary
speak to an imperfect world.