I shrink from the day when I can no longer kiss your toes -
like gumdrops - so small and round and sweet
or scatter your fears the way a dog does pigeons in our favorite park 

when you stop reaching for my hand each time we cross the street
or jumping up into my arms at the end of the day –
openly loving and honest in a way that it takes years
of life experience to erase 

who will be the champion of our pillow battles and tickle wars,
or find the treasure hidden deep within the potted earth on our patio? 

one evening you’ll pour your own milk,
tuck yourself into bed and when the nightmares wake you
my hypnotic humming and gentle swaying will be impotent 

some day you’ll stop asking to pet every doggie you see
and because you’ve figured It all out – you’ll stop asking me why and how
this is when you’ll be too old for me to carry and
able to propel yourself to greater heights than I could ever hope to push you 

these days are fast approaching and it has been my own doing
since the moment my heart first conceived of yours
each ounce of love and inch of care - brick by brick
building the frame of the individual you’ll become 

stronger than the force of nature that plucked you from Heaven
and dropped you into my lap – my love will remain
indivisible, unlimited and unwavering - a promise
much like what I see in you every day