Taking It All In
In the cool grays of the room
In the adobe pink of the walls
Through artificial breezes
And the silver cherub lamp
strung above our heads from someone else’s hand
On shaded cotton sheets
And across delicate, outstretched puppy paws
We pass the afternoon
You, sweet one, balanced on my chest
And me trying to take in
Every round moment
Warm and golden and light
Avoiding grasping little nails
And impatient squawks
As we readjust
Bliss when I find the perfect support
Pillowed against my neck
Bliss when you swallow and breathe
In complete safety and comfort and sleep
Fully contained
By my arms and in my lap
Beginning to find your voice
In sporadic sing-songy tones
Rendered full of thought
And edited out loud
Voraciously consuming
What life I have to offer
Happy 4 months of life
Little watt of light
Bringing movement and stillness and ease
To temporary afternoons
As I type as quickly as I can
To keep this spot open forever