love to know what people think of this poem...

[toomuchpink]

..it's going into the baby box they are handing out to new mums in Scotland.


Jackie Kay
Welcome Wee One

O ma darlin wee one
At last you are here in the wurld
And wi’ aa your wisdom
Your een bricht as the stars,
You've filled this hoose with licht,
Yer trusty wee haun, your globe o' a heid,
My cherished yin, my hert's ain!

O my darlin wee one
The hale wurld welcomes ye:
The mune glowes; the hearth wairms.
Let your life hae luck, health, charm,
Ye are my bonny blessed bairn,
My small miraculous gift.
I never kent luve like this.

[nethunsreject]

Vomit inducing, imo. And I usually like Jackie Kay. This is mawkish.

[2017watchoutherewecome]

I can take it or leave it, it's just a poem.

[bloodymaria]

Cringe

[toomuchpink]

small miraculous gift is not what I personally wanted to hear when I was sleep deprived and sore

[nethunsreject]

Yes, the early days of parenthood are fucking grim, ime.

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

Did you write it as you've asked this on a few threads?

It's really not representative of 'my scotland'. And is insensitive to many parents suffering from pnd etc.

I'm not a fan of the baby boxes anyway as I feel the money could be better spent.

[toomuchpink]

No I didn't write it! It is by Jackie Kay. I felt exactly like you - particularly the pnd bit.
I also share your view of baby boxes.
But I had a sense that I was a being a bit bitter and twisted, so wondered what others thought.

[dailymaillazyjournos]

I don't like it one bit and have the suspicion that most copies will end up in the bin.
As PPs have said there's all sorts of things to consider - PND, exhaustion, pain and feeling discombobulated, baby not actually welcome as wasn't planned or wanted. Not to mention a lot of people might not understand what the heck it's all about.

I think the idea of baby boxes are ok but for those who need or may benefit from one. If you are on a decent wage you really don't need one. It's money that could be spent better imo.

[blueeyes1970]

I have to say, while well intentioned, the fact that the poem is written in Scots means that it automatically feels exclusive and unwelcoming to those of us mothers in Scotland who are either not Scottish, or don't engage with/ understand Scots. While I enjoy listening to Scots songs or poetry, I would not have found this poem inspirational or soothing in my confused, hormonal state after my LO was born. All that being said, the last line is beautiful - and true.

[Scrumptiouscrumpets]

It describes a completey idealised version of becoming a mother. But what are they supposed to say about the birth of a baby? They can hardly write a poem about how shit the first days can be. They will hopefully include information about who to turn to if you need help with your baby / PND etc. But including something positive like a poem is a nice idea IMO (and I say this as someone who had a very unhappy introduction to motherhood). Honesty about the bad sides of motherhood is important but so is remembering the beautiful sides, and the fact that having a baby really can be wonderful.