Shared Verse Mother Inexperience is permitted, No special skills required, Must love pets and children, Eager attitude desired. A loving heart's essential, Soft, gentleness, a plus, A kindly, warm demeanor, Combined with tenderness. Add agility of body, And dexterity of hands, Both can be instinctive, But be ready on demand. Have good ears, with which to listen, Sharp eyes, with which to see, Arms strong enough for hugging, And a spirit, fancy-free. Can speak to God in heaven, Have folded hands to pray. Have ability to guide and teach, And ability to play, Can cook, and bake, and clean, and sew, Can nurture little souls, Knows how to hold on tightly And how to hold, when letting go. Mother's love, eternal love, Ever in one's heart, Eventually returned to God, Yet, never does depart. © 2000 Virginia A. Ellis