one day after

we opened your presents
the day after

your mom and I
want you to celebrate
what is in the manger
not what is under the tree

we opened your presents
(you were not even into tearing paper)

but you enjoyed the company:
(-the night before,
-christmas eve
-christmas dinner)

you were at your best
smiling
wanting
to stay
awake

in the open circle
of the people who love you most

soon enough
you will look forward
to paper and boxes

but I hope
someday
you return here

and the present
you value most
will once again
be the circle

great expectations

we knew your name
six months before

so many people waiting
so many people waiting

we took our sweet time
and were unsure
even in our seventh year

so many people waiting
so many people

you took your sweet time too
two weeks past
you made us wait our turn

so many people eager to meet you
they speak your name
like you were always
part of us

so many people watching
so many people watching

so many people surround you
with their love

real

I learned from
your mother
that you were born
without them

or rather that they
didn't fully develop
till about
your second month

and soon enough
you will be using them
to try to pull our strings

but for now
I am grieved
by the sight of
your tears

rewards

smile baby

smile, smile, smile baby

smile baby

smile, smile, smile.

step 1

you have learned

(or is it that we have learned?)

that
you do not like
waking up

alone

parenting

(series 1.0)

your little body
fidgets and flails
when you sleep

so we swaddle you
to hold you still

sometimes
i have to hold your arms down

else you wake yourself up
from your peace

I hold your arms down
and you indulge me
with your calm

hole

I would trade you mine.
But what i have is tattered
threadbare and worn.

It does have space enough for you
and I would hold your heart.

I would hold it. I would hold it. I would hold it. I would hold it. I would hold it.

I would hold it.

my yoke is easy

there will be a time
when you will be

too big or
too busy or
too grown-up

but I will have you know
that you will never be

too heavy