This Moment, This Baby, This Tear

Oh darling, don’t you ever grow up…

The pinched nerve in my neck silently screams.

My lower back lingers on the edge of a spasm.

My arm tingles and begins to give out.

But you…

Your kissable cheek presses against my own like a soft, warm pillow.

Your chubby hand grips my neck as if to say,

“Don’t leave me mama. I need you.”

And all the pain is drowned out by your sleepy, shallow breaths.

All the cares of my mind fade to the background because…

Right now, there’s only this moment.

This baby.

This single tear on my cheek. Because you…

You’re growing up.

And I don’t want to let you.