you know how when you laugh
really hard
and you feel sort of --
out of control?
like you could pee in your pants
like your face is unhinged,
unguarded?
and then finally,
with a big sigh,
you reel yourself back in.
composed.
arranged.
together.
that's how she laughs every time --
tickled or surprised --
but without the need to regroup.
a deep belly laugh
that comes from her core --
it's how her soul sounds when it's speaking
from a place that doesn't understand walls.
she knew this language
before she ever spoke a word.
she's asleep in my arms right now,
face slack --
eyes rolling, lips parted,
exhaling a soft whistle because her nose is stuffed.
peaceful baby.
but there's something in the way her chin juts forward
that whispers into the future.
somehow i know this is exactly how she'll look when she's grown,
in moments
unguarded.
