Another Draft

I've worked a bit on this poem that I posted earlier. Please comment, especially if there are lines that don't flow rhythmically or that you have to re-read to get. Thanks :)

All Close

In a hand-me-down rocking chair late, I and baby
Cuddle close, sharing his sweet little smiles.
My legs push us forward and back in a rhythm,
Effortless, swayed by some external ebb.
Awake in the night, we’re alone in this moment.
Everyone sleeping but baby and me.

Forward and back under streetlight and starlight
Close your eyes, darling, I’m holding you tight.

But I know there are now other mothers and fathers
Humming or singing to babies tonight,
Each pair alone but in unison rocking,
One night like many in thousands of years.
All were once children, and rocked by a loved one.
My mother rocked me, and her mother rocked her.

Forward and back under mountains and starlight
Close your eyes, sweetheart, I’m holding you tight.

On one night when a new star appeared up in heaven,
Mary and Joseph embraced their new babe,
While shepherds came hastily in from the hilltops,
The Christ child dreamt softly on animal’s hay. 

Forward and back under angels and starlight
He came to promise all stains will be white.

Mother Eve rocked her babies when earth was beginning,
And loved them, both Abel and Cain, with great love.
She had given a wonderful gift to all people,
That we could be born and be parents in turn.
And was she, when she first saw the stars shine in Eden,
Then lulled to sleep by the arms that span heaven?

Forward and back under freshly made starlight
Close your eyes, dear one, I’m holding you tight.

Awake in this moment, we’re not alone, baby.
We are surrounded by parents before.
Swaddled and cradled in warm generations,
Rocked in the arms of the Father of All.

Forward and back under unfading starlight,
Sweet is this time for we’re kept in His sight.

General Conference: the ensign to the nations

We both loved the April general conference. We watched at home on Saturday, and at Grandma Poulsen's house on Sunday with her, Uncle Chris, and Uncle Mark's family.

Aaron's favorite talk was Elder Uchtdorf's in the priesthood session. Like someone on a cruise ship whose meals and entertainment are included in the fare, priesthood holders are entitled to many wonderful blessings and responsibilities.

Some things I learned are...

Be loving and charitable.

• Keep covenants as an expression of love to God and others. -Walter F. Gonzalez
• Plan service in the ward (our calling). -Henry B. Eyring
• Lose yourself in helping others and becoming better. -Dallin H. Oaks
• Small acts of love accumulate and bring us peace and happiness. -M. Russel Ballard
• "By becoming the answer to someone else's prayers, we often find the answer to our own."-Dieter F. Uchtdorf
  
• A righteous society is woven of the golden threads of charity. -H. David Burton
• Contribute through fast offerings, visiting teaching, time and resources. -Silvia H. Allred
  

The gospel, particularly the Atonement of Jesus Christ, brings us joy and peace.

• Through the sacrament, my cup runs over with the blessings of the infinite atonement -L. Tom Perry
• Be honest, positive, happy, and courageous! -Boyd K. Packer
• "If we are joyful and at peace with the world, people will want to know why." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf
• Around Eastertime, we can celebrate Christ's resurrection! -Thomas S. Monson
  

Trials strengthen us if we approach them with faith in the Lord.

• Pain helps us develop important qualities and turn to the Savior. -Kent F. Richards
• "Will I be the same when this is over?" "No, you won't be the same. You will be so much stronger. You will be awesome." -Paul V. Johnson
• We may not always have absolute knowledge that we are doing the Lord's will, but if we are keeping the covenants and commandments, we can walk with confidence that He will help and lead us. -David A. Bednar
• God chastens us to help us become what he wants us to be. Religion is not just "good-natured whateverism." -D. Todd Christofferson.
• The atonement has power to heal. -C. Scott Grow (I didn't see it, by the way. He looked just about the same size.)
• The sermon on the mount began gently but culminated in "be ye therefore perfect." Discipleship is a challenging path of change and work.
  

Family is eternal and wonderful! Teaching, either as a parent or teacher, is valuable and there are effective ways to teach.

• Give children opportunities to serve. -Henry B. Eyring
• Life, and family, extends beyond this life. Faith passes from generation to generation. -Russel M. Nelson
• Establish celestial traditions in our homes. -Richard J. Maynes
• Ancestors rejoice with us when we do their temple work. Have the spirit of the temple in our hearts and homes. -President Thomas S. Monson
• Marriage is lovely! -Richard G. Scott
• Teach what children should become, not just what they should do. -Lynn G. Robins