Well, in the course of her first
eighteen months,
she stole my heart,
that baby did.
There's a chemistry between us,
though she's a little devil of a kid
and drives me to distraction--
can't find a moment's peace
when she visits.
I built a little hand-rail for her
so she can manage the three steps
and visit me on her own
I put her out of my study once
shouting, "All right, that's it-- OUT!"
I can't forget how she looked at me
as I carried her out and closed the door.
Hurt and confused, she said, "Out?"
She cried for ten minutes outside.
She has to learn, I thought, resolutely.
It broke my heart;
I'll never do that again.
That heart-breaker can trash the room
for all I care,
though I've rearranged things
to spare myself her worst antics.
When I don't see her for a few days,
it's like I need a 'fix'
to hype-up my spirirt.
You know, at a year old,
I took her for her first visit
to the beach and boardwalk,
propped her up at a table
as we ate lunch;
she took a napkin and wiped
pizza sauce off my face,
imagine that--
she showed concern for me,
and so very young.
Yeah, I tell you,
she's won my heart completely.
Now her baby sister
is beginning to smile at me.

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