Born Anew

A Poem by Tom Shaw

Tom Shaw

May 13, 2024

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Music: Doctor Turtle - Lullaby for Democracy

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

Let me give you some space
to play and grow,
for there's something magical
in watching you blossom,
and smile.

Let me sing you a lullaby
when the day is done,
for there's something mystical
in watching you sleep so deep
that you smile.

Yes, this life, it will
tear at your heartstrings,
but it's only to open you up
so you feel more love.
Yes you will cry in the flood
that the monsoon brings,
but it's only to wash out your eyes
so you see all of the doves
that rise from the rubble,
like a phoenix might do
when you've been born anew,
and born to be you.

Let me see to your wounds
when the bees have stung,
for there's something healing
when we feel each other’s warmth
and smile.

Let me show you the ropes
when you're all knotted up,
for there's something binding
when we untangle the mess
and smile.

Yes, this life, it will
tear at your heartstrings,
but it's only to open you up
so you feel more love.
Yes you will cry in the flood
that the monsoon brings,
but it's only to wash out your eyes
so you see all of the doves
that rise from the rubble,
like a phoenix might do
when you've been born anew,
and born to be you.

Let me wave you goodbye
as you leave my life,
for there's something freeing
when you fly forth from your cage 
and smile.

Born Anew - A Poem by Tom Shaw

This poem comes from my first poetry book, Born Anew and Other Poems, and is also available as a framed print on my Shop. It’s a particular favourite of mine, so much so that I named the book after it, and I chose to release it on Substack this week to mark the 3-month anniversary of the book’s release.

For this piece, I was thinking about how I want to communicate the joys and challenges of this world to my future children and subsequent generations. I wrote it initially as a lullaby, and then tweaked it slightly to make it work for a poetry book.

It still gives me goosebumps every time I read it to myself or aloud, perhaps because it also speaks to a child within me who has feared having to go through change in life. We’ve certainly been through a lot of change in the past few years, where those versions of me have come online.

In a world where our children have been (and continue to be) taught to fear the planet, fear their leaders, fear their friends and fear the future, the need for messages that allow children to move past their fears in creating a world that works for them is more important than ever. If you feel this piece may help do that, I encourage you to share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Thank you for taking the time to read this piece, and I look forward to bringing you more soon.

With gratitude,

Tom