a time was when the loving embrace you gave your child
fit between your fingertip and bend of your elbow

soon

it’s the top of their heads you see when they run to your embrace
cheek pressed close... hearing your heartbeat

as you heard theirs
when you pressed your cheek to mom’s birthing belly

later

your embrace first meets, eye to eye, then ear to ear
as they whisper “love you Dad... see later”

now

you look up as they bend down placing their head on your shoulder
saying “Dad I love you”... see you back after the weekend.