How Gently He Comes

Soft smooth skin

     of the baby’s cheek

     against the back of her

          hand

Slow sleeping sighs

     of the baby’s breath

     against the crook of her

          neck

He stirs

     and looks at

     her with unfocused

          eyes

     they close

     again in sleep

Months before

     his kicks

     made her smile

     in anticipation

          and wonder

She laughed at the

     strength of this

     son

          this

               Son

Now his small

     fingers

          each nail perfect

     encircle one of

     hers

          and hold on

          tight

There is strength

     in those hands

     in those legs

But now

     strength is at rest

     completely at rest

    

How gently

     He comes.