Tamar

You sparked a heat wave
That snapped when you came home
Every time I held you
I was petrified I’d break your bones

Your momma moved the earth and seas
To bring you here
And with the greatest love
Come the deepest shades of fear

The labor lasted
An eternity, maybe more
But ‘eternity’, ‘infinity’
Those words just don’t mean what they did before

You took our breaths away
Also our sleep
My heart would halt, then somersault
Every time you made a peep

You are sweeter than the dates upon the palm
Whether you’re a frothing sea or a forest, cool and calm
Thrown into a world at war but safe in mama’s arms
Swaddled in mama’s charms

I’d prop you up on the pillow of my lap
Place you over my shoulder, pace around the room to help you nap

You’d only agree to sleep in our arms, tummy full
When instead we put you to bed, you’d wake in a state of betrayal

You weren’t crawling yet, not even teething
Every second or so,
I’d check your neck to make sure you were breathing

When that smile first spread along your face
And lit your eyes
Seedlings sprang and bloomed in a heartbeat
Seasons came and rolled right by

I can fit your fragile head into the pocket of my palm
You can have whatever words I’ve said and keep them as a balm
If there’s something shepherding the prayers and the psalms
Please, help us raise her like the dawn

You’re raw emotion radiating
Inconsolable then intoxicating
Curiously contemplating
Our garbled gobbledygook

Your will is iron, your mind is pure
You’re no blank slate, you’re so much more
You’re Tamar Eliana to the very core
Love lingers in your look

You’re fresher than a handpicked fig
Yet older than a fading star
You’ll grow and grow until you’re big
But you’ll always be perfectly Tamar