Sunday Poetry: I Have No Name

Welcome to Sunday Poetry.   If this is your first visit you can read about the purpose and inspiration of my Sunday poetry blogs here.

Our family just welcomed a baby boy, my first grandson, and today’s poem, Infant Joy by William Blake, is for Liam Michael, born January 12th, and precious, as all babies everywhere are. 

Infant Joy by William Blake

“I have no name;
I am but two days old.”
What shall I call thee?
“I happy am,
Joy is my name.”
Sweet joy befall thee!

Pretty joy!
Sweet joy, but two days old.
Sweet Joy I call thee:
Thou dost smile,
I sing the while;
Sweet joy befall thee!

Thank you for sharing my family’s joy.  Remember there are no quizzes here, no right ways to read or contemplate the poem we share.  Absolutely no dissecting allowed.  Just come along for the “read.”  What line, word or thought will you carry with you this week?  If you’d like to tell us where the poem took you?  We’ll listen.

7 Comments

  1. Marjorie Roberts on January 22, 2012 at 10:19 am

    There is nothing like a grandchild. This poem took me to the births of my grandchildren in 2006 and 2010. They light up our world. I feel your joy!!!

  2. Wanda on January 22, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    The title of your blog post “I Have No Name” reminded me of when my youngest son was born. He had no name because we were hoping for a girl and only had girls names picked out. My mother called him Sue for three days, after the Johnny Cash song. His four-year-old brother also called him Sue, and did it to tease him for years. We went through thousands of names before deciding on Bryce Aaron Morgan. They would not let us take him home from the hospital without a name. He was a joy to behold when he was born and is still a joy today at 23.

  3. Debbie Hearne on January 22, 2012 at 5:41 pm

    I love the line, “Sweet joy I call thee” That is how I think of my 3 year old granddaughter Ayvah. She is my joy, my sweetheart.

  4. Lil on January 22, 2012 at 10:31 pm

    Sweet joy befall thee! What we wish for all babies and especially to you, Liam, and your family. Congrats, Emilie. The picture also caught me off guard because each time I see a newborn it reminds me how small they are and how quickly they grow. Enjoy!

    • Emilie Richards on January 23, 2012 at 8:57 am

      Yes, they are so tiny and it’s so easy to forget. We will enjoy him.

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