Rest in my Arms – A Poem/Prayer for New Mothers

by Hilary Jacobson | Dec 15, 2021 | breastfeeding, motherhood, poem, spirituality

Rest in my Arms – A Poem/Prayer for New Mothers

Hilary reads: Rest in my Arms

Greetings my newborn,

My heart says hello.

You’ve come such a long way

To lie in my arms.

We’ve got such a long way,

Together, to go.

So rest in my arms

and take strength.

So many thoughts now

Pass through my mind.

The world is so hard,

And I’m frightened for you.

But now, I feel trust

And trust is our bond.

So rest in my arms

And be safe.

This brief time together

Quickens our hearts,

So that we can travel

Our long road ahead.

You drink from my breasts,

I drink from your eyes.

We rest in Life’s arms,

And take strength.

by Hilary Jacobson – 2000

“Rest in my Arms” was originally written as lyrics for a song that mothers sing to their newborns.

Love and Nourishment are One: a poem of healing from breastfeeding grief

by Hilary Jacobson | Feb 28, 2021 | breastfeeding grief, poem

Love and Nourishment are One: a poem of healing from breastfeeding grief

Hilary Jacobson reads: Love and Nourishment are One

Love and Nourishment are One

I still need to hold you near

and feel your dear mouth close

about that tender part of me

where no milk flows.

This sacred thing that should have been,

this rite of every mother,

will not now, nor ever be

a bond, one to the other.

Yet though I feel this utter loss,

a nagging emptiness,

I also smell your warm skin close,

know you don’t need me less.

Song and smile, touch and glance,

we dance our dance until –

scent and hand, hold and clasp,

it’s clear: I love you still.

If love and nourishment are one,

and I love you just the same,

then let me give you love, my love,

that does not bend to shame.

If love and nourishment are one,

perhaps that’s all we need:

to trust our bond is ever here,

regardless how we feed.

-Hilary Jacobson 2004