The poem below, written fifteen years ago, is dedicated to my beautiful and characterful daughter–herself a mother of two fantastic children–and who, this weekend, celebrates her 30th birthday. I love you, my big baby xxxx
***
THE CHOICE
you are the best mistake I ever made
laid
backs turned, doors slammed, new friends found, new front doors
thaws
I knew you because you made sure of it
prophet
as an inchling squirming in my womb
room
hand-me-downs of doll-sized clothes sat folded
moulded
long days passed before my gift-wrapped surprise
guise
you never cried–too nosy from the start
heart
a beautiful individualist
kissed
old spurners backtracked to ingratiate
late
I’d petition angels to protect you
true
we fought pitched battles with the world and won
stun
and now I watch you fight your teenage wars
roars
your eyes squall-grey, fire from your studded nose
pose
smiles, apologies, blue-eyed bliss, peace
cease
an unbreakable individualist
kissed
lovers of your own and choices to make
wait
(c)Sarah Potter, 1997
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Sarah Potter Writes 
This morning I was reading through a notepad with a page dated only weeks before my daughter was born. I found a baby names shortlist: Freya, Georgina, Fancesca, Kirsten, Cerian, Amélie, Catherine, CHarlotte, Sophie, Catrin, Rhiannon and Eirian. It is amazing how fast time seems to travel and yet during intense periods it bunches up.
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