Little Girls, Part II
I keep going.
Watching her snooze on the half hour drive home
I forget for a moment about my blazing fears
a babe swaddled in all mandatory tethers
“Safety First” labels on her car seat
pink gingham pillow-y head rest surrounding her noggin
sleep as soft and tender as a daydream
not one eency weency care in the world
no worry about my mothering capabilities
This one frame show–a solid amen.
Then
Carrying this brand new baby inside our humble abode
I remember a paused To Do list
mounted high, purple majesty laundry
exponential multiplication of dust bunnies
the unfinished Precious Moments quilt
a starving fridge and pantry and wilted plant in the windowsill
an empty 35mm camera and weak batteries
other unchecked, gnashing-of-teeth list items
This picture frame of life–like a screaming gremlin.
What now?