I hear the quiet singing (for Leif)

I hear the quiet singing of you
restless in your bed
gently passing the moments
until sleep shuts your little mouth
and brings only the
sound of the clock, breathing
on and on in the electric silence.

Surrender

Toddler says “No” for days on days
even when he means “Yes.”

Training himself to a contrary will
for the sake of an unhappy
but necessary independence.

The first time he lisps an ‘Okay’
and means it
is an Ode to Joy
in Father’s ears.

This New Life

Love carries her precious one in arms of care
Joy leaps up in the heart of the parent aware
Peace sings her song to the infant asleep
Patience waits by the bed til he wakes
Gentleness cradles the head so frail
Goodness prepares a meal for the child
and Discipline labors with Joy
to see this new life unfurl.

(for Owen and Dawn)

Small Window

into the heart of God,
your eyes reveal what mine cannot always see:
the joy of the Maker in the simplest of things.
A flower pulled, a stone thrown,
falling water cupped in your hand,
all these you notice with clean consideration.

With your smile so slight, infectious laughter
eyebrow furrowed, your attention held
moment by moment you lead me through
into a world that has been lost to me
since I last looked at life
through the eyes of a child.

In the shifting sand, time holds you captive.
In a game of chase you are endlessly fascinated.
With each floating leaf
each trip down the slide
you unveil a landscape of joy to me.

When my heart is broken and far away
You bring me near to the heart of the Father.

In my love for you I find His love for me.

(for Leif)