Diary of a First-time Auntie - 2

I found the courage to carry little Kayla longer than 2 seconds today. If my maternal instincts had not kicked in before, they certainly have now. It is just the fact that she is very tiny and fragile that makes me keep my distance. The fact that she cries and screams while being held is not conducive either. But I watched as her parents carried her close and rocked her quiet. That is when I decided that today would be the day I would  properly introduce her to her auntie.

It is amazingly unique holding a baby close to you. Their little heart beating against your chest. Their total surrender to a slumber, unaware of the world around them. And I will not even begin to talk about the cutest ever little sounds that come out of them. Rocking them to sleep was one thing but interacting with them while they're awake is even better. 

It seems that with little Kayla you really cannot go wrong either way. I was instantly hooked and attached to this little angel of a niece.

Winning poems

I recently took part in the Protag poetry competition and I was so excited when I came second place! Here are some of my winning poems:

Autumn is in the Leaves

A gushing wind charges,

Through my thoughts and leaves,

Caught by surprise, broken,

by seasonal peeves.

Once true to intense monotone,

Leaves start falling to show colour,

Yellow, amber, crimson and brown

Clutter my head like no other.

The sound of mellowness crunches

Beneath a changing gait

Until a scattered, playful blanket

gives way to autumn fate.

Autumn is in the leaves

No other season can relate

A periodical festivity captured

In leaves of colour so ornate.

The Manor of the Fall

There was once long ago,

a man of great wealth,

and accumulated powers,

he was caught up in stealth.

Let courage make way for a truth revealed,

A secret that can no longer be sealed.

Then one day a young girl,

of sharp mind and manner,

struck up a friendship,

and moved into his manor.

Let courage make way for a truth revealed,

A secret that can no longer be sealed.

She’d become the wife,

to a man she despised,

but her solace was revenge,

and her feelings disguised.

Let courage make way for a truth revealed,

A secret that can no longer be sealed.

This man concealed a history,

of corruption and theft,

and showed no mercy to allies,

whom he left quite bereft.

Let courage make way for a truth revealed,

A secret that can no longer be sealed.

Her scheme was in action,

to expose him from within,

and return all the money,

that he’d robbed off her kin.

Let courage make way for a truth revealed,

A secret that can no longer be sealed.

On a dark moonless night,

she carried out her plan,

with the help of the guards,

from the council she ran.

Let courage make way for a truth revealed,

A secret that can no longer be sealed.

The guards broke in to the manor,

seizing all the money and deeds,

which he’d stolen and deprived,

citizens of their land and needs.

Let courage make way for a truth revealed,

A secret that can no longer be sealed.

The man was soon sentenced,

to a long lifetime in a cell,

but his legend still stands,

as witness to the man who fell.

Let courage make way for a truth revealed,

A secret that can no longer be sealed.

His wife revealed her identity,

a young princess to the land,

whose father she’d seen murdered,

by the tyrant’s heavy hand.

Let courage make way for a truth revealed,

A secret that can no longer be sealed.

The manor still stands on its hill,

testament to see today,

that only with courage and wisdom

can justice make forth its way.

Diary of a First-time Auntie - 1

Today I discovered just what the word captivated means: to be completely and utterly overcome by a thing, notion or person such that everything else takes second place; even if just for a moment. I am referring to being captivated by my little niece.

My niece is one day old. Born yesterday afternoon she made a screaming entrance into this world then spent the better part of her first day being confused and disoriented. There was the power of breathing in oxygen but there was also the freedom of movement. No more confined space.

The bump had now become the baby and seeing her, tiny as she seemed, produce sounds made me stand in awe and reflect on the miracle of birth. A new life was brought into this world and I was speechless. I held her in my arms and instantly felt small in the face of this magnificence. God Almighty.

My little sister has now entered the world of mothers and I in turn have become a first-time auntie.