A Moment

Wobbling toward me,
she smiles
the most warming smile
I’ve ever seen,
punctuated by
four small teeth
just starting to come in.
Her tropical blue eyes
glisten with reflections of
a spitfire personality
and stand out among
her charmingly cow licked
mahogany-hued
locks.

Watching her daily,
is like enjoying
my grandma’s spread
of ribs, potato salad,
baked beans
and berry pie on
the Fourth of July
with my entire
family around me.
It’s simply
pure
rejuvenation
of the spirit.

Her tiny hands,
arms, angled head,
signal,
Up!
Never have I
or will I
resist this kind
of request.
As I lift her
obligingly to me,
she nestles her head
into the comforting
cranny that all children
can find on a woman.
The spot that is created
by the curvature of
neck, chest, and shoulder.

I start instinctively
bobbing and rocking
to the sounds
of silence
in the background—
ever so softly shhhing
in her tiny ear
that resembles the
delicate shells birthed
from the sea.

Her arms become limp.
Her legs dangle
around my waste
and she sighs
and coos in relaxation—
every so often
sucking her pointer finger.
It’s teething time
and I can feel the
puddle of drool
growling larger
upon my blouse.

As time passes,
my arms grow tired,
my lower back aches
and my shirt will
need to be laundered,
but never
would I think
to put down
this little girl—
selfish reasons really,
I’ve never felt so at ease
and willing
to love
as I do
when holding a child.