Everything That Is Lovely

To my sweet Josephine:

We're home from work now.
It's time to go inside.
You cry. You scream.
We wipe the tears away.
There are your eyes. They're lovely.

The meal is done.
Spaghetti sauce on your face.
Potatoes in your hair.
A moment to clean you off.
There is your face. It's lovely.

Your diaper needs to be changed.
Running, crawling, squirming, turning.
Fighting, twirling, wailing, laughing.
Quickness of a parent's hands.
There is your smile. It's lovely.

Playtime is here.
You walk and run, hide and seek, laugh and dance.
You fall.
You get up.
There are your hands. They're lovely.

Bedtime has come.
Lullabyes and a soft blanket.
Rocking and snuggling.
Your face against my cheek.
There is your breath. It's lovely.

You are my light. You are my love. You are everything that is lovely.