A baby dies at birth, or within days, br Such a sorrow! br Who has the strength to bear it? br That is why we stand with the parents, br Holding them up with all our arms, shoulders, hearts. br How can we stand to part br with this pink cherub, this piece of heaven? br Burial is more a planting of our hopes br More than an interment. br Like the chubby bulbs of tulips br We know with certainty br They will rise with a flourish br Of intense color, br Even if only for God to see.