As the first strains of the piano
Arpeggios arch through the gloom
Of the blinds-pulled living room
You curl in my arms
Nuzzle for a breast
As if you were not outgrowing
Your babyhood
So keen to stretch skyward
When will I be a Big Girl, Mummy?
Soon enough, my lovely,
Soon enough.
This hour is my solace.
Your warm breath on my shoulder
Legs folded around my thigh
We embrace upon the sofa.
I ignore the floor
What little of it remains visible
In the chaos of your wake
Toys strewn like flotsam.
I am drowning by inches
Yet this is not playtime
I will not despair
For my once neat home
It matters little
And shall be overcome
Once we are both back on our feet.
Eyelids flutter as we reach for
The second movement
Ears adjusting to familiar rhythms
I reach for the mouse
Scroll to the next page
Of our story
Welcoming this forced pause
Suspended in our time
Inhabiting this shared space
To the end of the lullaby
breastfeeding
Biting baby blues
We’re rocking teeth
More shocking news
Our shoes won’t fit
Our socks we lose
We climb as high
As we can reach
And make the most
Unholy screech
We don’t sit still
May throw our food
And roll around
When in a mood
With grabby hands
And strong-willed walk
The vulnerable
We now stalk
That thing you smell…
Our butt don’t lie
Some nose-to-mattress
Lullaby
If you want sleep
You’d best be dead
Small half-moons mark
The path ahead
And will we tire
Or do as told?
Hell no! We’re just
As good as gold!
Katherine Shirley 