keep her going
one smile at a time
one chin lift, tear wipe,
forehead kiss, at a time

keep her healthy
one breast at a time
one heaving chest,
and wobbling lip,
just do my best.
one drop at a time.

pick her up,
as she gains and gains,
the pains in my back
fade to make way
for her stay
on my hip.
her grip tightens,
and so does mine.
she is fine.

keep her clean
one bath at a time,
endless changes
and soaks, soaps
and suds and slips
and bumps and splashes
and crashes and just
stay still
will you,
for one single minute
my dearest one

brow sweat and
milestones unmet
this job robs me of
wallowing, for how
can i bow to the nothingness
when i have everything to do
and everything to be
to this little one
who is everything to me.