courtship

how does one
fall
in love
with a child?

taking you home
from the hospital
seemed surreal

we were tired
relieved
more than anything

since then
the only pause
to the taking care of you

has been for our own naps
we worry too much at times
to wonder

and yet we steadily
seem to be
falling

there is no jumping
of flesh of my flesh
bone of my bone
myself seeing part of myself
in your fragile hands

maybe the drowsiness
enchants
and we bond
despite ourselves

maybe like a dance
rehearsed over a thousand steps
or a piano piece
practiced for hours
the flow becomes a part
of our selves

then there is that
amazing
newness

each new day
you seem to be
new
and you surprise us
with you
over and over
again