Now I lay me down,

to remember long ago,

when the words failed,

when you came into the light

of this world, quiet, at peace,

with barely a coo.

We held you, and a new

reality weighted our arms.

A new real creased

and increased our hearts.

In all my quarter century

I never knew such mystery.

Now I’ve seen the unfolding of you,

as color infused your baby face,

age on age, and grace on grace.

So now, we release,

smile, cry, sing,

of what is yet to be.

And that’s the thing,

to be, that is the question.

To be love, not simply in love.

To move love until it moves you.

To grip love like a blankie remnant.

To hold on as waters rise,

and the sun sets.

To find solace and comfort

and safety in the other.

To love and let love.