The Never Normal

You take your shirt off and hold me, newborn, to your chest,
your heartbeat drumming fa-ther, fa-ther, fa-ther –
and father arms, and unbelieving eyes, and warmth
so rocking, softly rocking, in your father arms I sleep.

You wear me in a baby sling, faced out so I can see.
You bend close to kiss my thistledown fine hair
and you are smiling, and jouncing me in jest, and singing
unashamedly off-key: the bear went over the mountain…

You see me spinning; hear me humming, seek a diagnosis,
your heartbeat drumming fa-ther, fa-ther, fa-ther –
now you hold me extra-special close, you whisper precious son
and place me before everything there was or ever will be.

You chase me on the playground past the toddlers who can talk
You bend close to kiss my thistledown fine hair
And I’m caught and tickled, giggling, just like any other boy
And you are smiling, and jouncing me in jest, and singing

You take your shirt off and hold me, two now, to your chest,
so rocking, softly rocking, in your father arms I sleep.
Your heartbeat drumming fa-ther, fa-ther, fa-ther –
You place me before everything there was or ever will be.