First Birthday for Ella

Here's day twenty-eight's: submission for NaPoWriMo (a poem a day for the month of April in honor of National Poetry Month)

First Birthday for Ella

You stick out your tongue

smiling, wag it in and out.

“Blablablablab,” you say,

and I answer, “lahbahlabahlabah.”

We collapse into laughter

for a breath until you purse your lips

“Pftftfbtttt!” And I’m right there with you,

motoring my lips until they connect

with the side of your neck

as I lift you from my lap.

You arch your back and squeal

and I am filled with delight.

You point at me and pinch your lips tight:

“MMMMMmmmmmmmmm.”

I nod. This is indeed delicious.

Ella at (almost) One

Here's day ten's submission of NaPoWriMo (a poem a day for the month of April in honor of National Poetry Month). 

Ella at (almost) One

You hold up

your hand

and point.

Your mouth an “O”

of discovery.

One finger,

out to the world.

On your next birthday,

will you hold two?

Everything is surprise

and delight.

Now is all there is.

With each new gasp

at the dog,

the balloon,
the flower,

your grandma coming

through the door,

you teach me to see

the world
again.