Holding Baby

They cluck and coo and squawk at times;
They pass it around;
Taking hits.
It looks-unblinking-then looks elsewhere,
It's stubby limbs quiver and jerk
(No feeling for the clutch yet).
Soundless, expressionless, seems unimpressed.
Or undistressed.

It comes my turn.
Nine pounds of life thrust at me
And as my arms assume the load
There's sunrise in my skin!
The fear wanes as solace reigns
And reaches deep within.
He doesn't cry, nor shy away
Or shrivel up and die.
To be fair, he doesn't care,
But then… He doesn't cry!

Holding baby I'm transformed;
Consumes me like contagion,
It lights the soul and alters goals,
And make you want to have one.

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