Norah at a quarter of a year

there’s a cluster of ribbons 

and a stuffed turtle with two rings 

yellow and green 

hanging just above her 

she wants them 

but hands don’t cooperate 

flailing 

and then she grabs the ribbons and won’t let go 

but the rings still hang 

penduluming 

left hand bats at them 

so hard to grasp 

fingers must unclench 

until finally two fingers wrap around the plastic 

goal achieved infant persistence

paying off 

boding well for ribbon-filled tomorrow 

 

don't worry Norah

don’t worry 

baby you’ve got that creased little brow looking 

so unsure your 

momma has you enveloped in 

love your daddy has you arms 

of protection your family has you a circle 

of smiles 

life will 

happen and it might be rough but 

you will be 

strong 

    and sure 

        and wise 

            and good 

                and true 

so don’t worry baby we’ve got 

you

new year's eve

look out 

at the silver white brush stroke 

around each branch 

and at the snow laden spruce boughs 

weighed down by winter 

listen to that recording of Bach 

and hear the hope

on this last day of the year 

brush stroked and laden with silver 

and the prayers of a 

world aching 

and hungry for peace