Poetry A baby’s babble blowing bubbles for no reason but the pleasure of being in tune The child squirting face paint composing handprints on the cushions of comfort A football drawing a line from her foot straight into window panes of experience Her promise not broken when she follows the rainbow onto the horizon of growth Affirmative ‘No’ when the world pushes boundaries to the conclusion of answers A point in hand when squiggles and scribbles search the bookworm on the pages Her smile as she flexes her muscles into the warmth and resolve of first love Your fingertips on my lips when words need not be spoken when touch is enough Cries and crises when the mind refuses to succumb to domination and silence An old woman’s wrinkles when the bark of her skin turns to an acorn of wisdom When I look at you and kindness’ compassion spreads shivers of loving embrace