First Smile

 

I see a sparkle on my infant’s face.

Perhaps a wayward cherub fled the skies

to make a friend and much to my surprise

alighted here, with just the slightest trace

of angel dust enlivening the space

around their charmed encounter. With a guise

of nonchalance I try to memorize

my baby’s tiny smile, the time, the place.

 

Before too long a rush of memories

will whisk this image past the dimming veil

of years. But as I would a jewel rare

reflecting from an ancient stream, I’ll seize

my treasured gem, and though my eyes should fail,

I’ll see her run to me with smiles to share.