You hold Henry
in the incandescent overhead light
as dawn peaks through our windows.
He's holding onto you like a baby chimp;
his little paws clasping your back
and his legs wrapped around you
as tight as two carpentry clamps.
Swaying back-and-forth,
like you did when they were babies.
Swaying, kissing his cheeks, and swaying
Repeat.
They only know a mother
who is present.
They only know a mother
who helps their tears go away.
A mama bird protecting her chicks
from that crazy bald eagle.
Exhausted,
I don't appreciate you enough.
And,
when I do
I appreciate you
too much.
You are a genius.
You made this happen
[I point all around me]
in spite of me
always going over my allowance.
You are
my five-star
life hacker app
that was activated
that first day we met:
course-correcting my worst instincts
tempering my anxiety
and showing me
my potential.
God only knows where we'd be without you.
You are so loved.