Poems – Page 60 – Generous Wisdom

…to love and to be loved…

“…Those little children still unborn have been created for bigger things: to love and to be loved.” ~Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

“Nigh-night…La-you…”
says the little one
to the big ones.

He does not
intend to settle
into his crib,

so he tucks
his sisters
and brother into bed

and makes them melt
for all his gooey sweetness.
In the living room

he crawls about
our bodies sprawled
in the chair, on the couch;

he declares, “Nose.”
when he touches
our noses,

“Eyes.” when he pokes
his finger across
our lids.

He reaches past
our book and tablet,
poking, with his pokey

fingers. It is
10:00. 10:30.
10:35. 10:45.

Enough.
When all else fails,
hug and be hugged.

We love
and are loved
by him.

For the morning,
for the night,
for the souls entrusted to my care;

for noontime,
for evening,
for every hidden snare,

for the winter,
for the spring,
for every time fulfilled;

for love,
for loving,
forgiveness sweetly shared.

A warm mug rests
in my hands while fairies,
gossamer skirts and wings floating,
chase their little monster through the house.

I watch them run
past empty and full
laundry baskets, over the
clean, unfolded towels and sheets.

The breakfast dishes wait
on the table while I stare
at holiness in bare feet,
Christ in comforting disguise.