Your calculating gaze passes by me with little discern
Fearing to stop and focus on what might soon be gone
Perhaps it’s protection from experiences already seen
More likely hollow from what has not been

Forced to face alone what a baby boy should never see
Your stare uncomfortably mature beyond your days
Infrequent guarded smiles or slight twinkles in your gaze
Provide a ray of hope that your eyes can be filled with joy

Can those stolen carefree childhood days be given back
Or will there always be a hole that remains unreachable
A protective shield that I cannot  shatter with love
Looking into your eyes, I wonder, can I give you all you need? 

How many days and nights must pass before your
Fearful stare is replaced with wide eyes of nervous intrigue and
Nervousness’ is overcome through security and a trustful wink
Until optimism begins to glow into a shining vision of what should be

I close my eyes and say a silent prayer waiting to fall asleep
When the darkness of our first night is filled with light
Rising slowly you begin a new day rubbing your weary eyes open
Bright and sparkling for the first time they look to me and smile

We have seen hour pass and days have turned to weeks and months
Your resilience shines through and your eyes bubble with laughter
Soaking up every drop of love and affection showered upon you
It is amazing to see that it is you who are filling an empty part of me 

Now God’s plan is clear for all to see, we were always meant to be!

By Ted Dimbero  April 5, 2003
  - Meeting our Son Nicholas in the orphanage and bringing him home