We head home from taking big sister to school each morning,
the sun lazily emerging,
a cool breeze in our faces.
the sun lazily emerging,
a cool breeze in our faces.
Baby brother is snug in a sling,
big brother racing ahead
or lagging behind.
He stops to inspect cracks in the sidewalk,
collect rocks in his pocket,
or pile sticks in his hand.
His pants are on backwards,
his shoes might be on the wrong feet,
his shirt tag side out,
but it’s better to let him be.
He’s too busy to stop for such things,
too big to need my help.
There are leaves to stomp in pieces,
branches to transform into swords.
Every once in awhile, he’ll pause to gift me a rock,
grasp my hand.
Then the lure of a swirling leaf will distract him,
lead him to a squirrel to chase,
a truck to admire.
I follow him, in no rush to get home.
I savor the sweetness of him,
patiently awaiting the next time
he’ll slip his warm hand in mine.
Loved this, thank you.
Sweet and powerful. Loved it.