name: Kristine K. Lowder
title of work: Breath of Heaven
date of completion: Spring 2002
email address: authorI@juno.com

Kristine Lowder has published numerous articles, columns, and poems in a variety of publications including Focus on the Family's "Front Porch", Sierra, Dayspring, and Reader's Digest. Kristine and her husband, Chris, are both graduate of Biola University in La Mirada, California. Together, they are the proud--and usually exhausted--parents of four rascally, rambunctious boys.

Breath of Heaven

"Mama, Mama! Watch me! Watch ME!"
His shrill, small voice demands
I wave and smile, signal my attentiveness
Denounced a moment later--caught red-handed
Stealing glances at my book

No Mama, watch ME!"
I turn the pages, plant my marker
Close the covers tight and sigh
"Show me your new trick, sweetheart
Mama's watching now."
Beaming grin and dimpled eyes
Crowing with delight--his audience now captive

Somersaulting between his version of Ringling Bros.
And the remnants of the day I see
"Interrupts" galore and:
dishes yet undone
vacant shopping list
dust bunnies multiplied
orphaned laundry mounded high
vacuuming AWOL again
and dinner plans awry

"Mama, watch me!"

"Yes, I see the purple elephant.
I know you're Robin Hood.
Your blankie is right here
Where are your new socks?
The peanut butter's almost ready
Are you a puppy now?
Let's tie your shoes..."

Midnight oil burned long ago
I tiptoe to your room, peek inside
And watch your cherubic slumber
Pink-plump cheeks in sweet repose
Superman's chest gently rises and falls
Standing there, I realize anew the Miracle of You:

No mere interruption
To be ignored or brushed aside
You -- my dearest treasure, deepest joy
The Father's dream poured out
Beside you sweep unseen seraph wings
Inside you stirs
The very Breath of Heaven.