Today I’m sharing some of the little poems I write in my head in the middle of the night while I’m feeding babies. I started doing this with my first son, Ryan. Now with my second son, and my increasing internet comprehension, I’ve given them a name, “mom ePoems”. Whether you’re a mom or not, I hope you enjoy…
***
Feeding You
Today I fed you ham
and I fed you peas
and cheese
Then you ate a snack
and another,
crumbs growing on your face
sipping milk through a straw
and leaving bits of food on the end
You burped and laughed
and looked at me expectantly,
“More?”
I sighed.
I don’t think there’s anything left to give you.
(May 2013)
***
First Weeks
Your father (not me) once said that
it’s hard to love them when they’re just a blob with eyeballs
But I think your eyeballs are one of your best features
(May 2012)
***
Go Slowly
Go slowly,
you will hurt yourself.
you will choke on all of those Ritz crackers
you will leave me
Go slowly.
(Spring 2013)
***
Her Again
Today you came home with your first black eye
and I said, “Who is she?”
Who let you fall, believing there was a step made for you
When there was none?
(Fall 2012)
***
Being Tired
I am tired.
There is a bull-weevil of tired-ness
Burrowing through my soul
And I am wanting just to lie here,
even though I can hear you crying
And wait until you’re eighteen
and you come in to check on me.
(May 2012)
***
Hold all the looseness up
Hold all the looseness up,
Spin it around
and set it down
Until the looseness leaves
And we are left with longing.
(August 2014)
***
Pregnancy Test
Weeks are a funny thing.
You can have 40 left
and life is just beginning
Or ending.
(September 2013)
***
Milk Neck
When you were new and I was new
There was a smell
I had no idea where or what it was
And then one day I discovered the old crusted milk
in the fat folds of your neck,
Poor neglected child you were.
After that I was more vigilant
And I didn’t let the milk dribble and collect
But I kind of missed the smell
–it was addicting
Now you smell so sweet
Your neck and hair
I sink my face in when you’re close
Sweat, salt, cream, sugar
all, both, please
Nothing rancid
It is almost too good.
(May 2012)
***
Your Hair, for Ryan
Your hair has made you many things
Banker, boxer, boy
Rock Star
The night you came it was so black
with your light brown skin
that I was sure you were Hispanic
Then suddenly it was red
and in your green jumpsuit
you looked like a leprechaun
Then bald and serious
Then light brown
Now blond.
What will next season bring?
(Summer 2013)
***
Waste
So many houses being torn down
So much packaging.
Your yogurt has a container, a carton and a box
What are we doing while we are unwrapping?
While we are wasting time?
(Summer 2013)
***
Stay tuned for more babies, more poems…
