Lezlie & Taran

At ten
She rocked him to sleep
Walked the floor when he cried
Her small slender hands patting rhythms against his back
His tiny fingers caught in her curly hair

At twenty-five and sixteen
He towers over her
They dance, laugh, push and shove
Find each other delightful, obnoxious, hilarious

Their shared laughter paints the air
In bright bursts and showers
Softly padding the sharp corners of my not
Empty nest


©Edwina Peterson Cross