To Mother Broken

28 days

pick you up a little boy

wrapped up

snug

in my arms

clinging to Mr. Lion

Your stuffy nose

a piglet

grunting

singing through

my yawns.

When I

slowed

you said,

"aga?"

Again

keep going

why did you stop?

the gentle curve

of your cheek

awash in

twilight

flushed from fever

a camera

cannot capture

subtleties meant for

the human eye

this

fades too

quick

drawing you in

closer-tighter-knowing

this will

pass. Tonight I

set you in your

crib a baby and tomorrow

you will be a little boy

too big for my lap