Your First Hello

They placed you in my trembling arms,

A universe, so new and small,

And I, who knew of life's great harms,

Felt every single worry fall.

Your eyes, two pools of midnight deep,

Blinked slowly, taking in the light,

A secret that my heart must keep,

This love that felt both fierce and slight.

I counted fingers, counted toes,

This perfect, tiny, breathing thing,

And in that moment, surely knows,

My very soul began to sing.

You were the first to call me "Mama,"

Or "Dada," with a gummy grin,

The first to make my whole world calmer,

The one I'd risk it all to win.

The first late night, the first soft lullaby,

The first sweet smell of your warm head,

The first time I learned how to cry

From joy, not sorrow, in your bed.

You are the map, the uncharted shore,

The first step on this brand-new land,

I've never loved or feared so much before,

While holding such a tiny hand.

And though more may come in future years,

To fill our home with joyful sound,

You were the one who dried my tears,

And taught my heart new love profound.

So little one, my first, my dear,

My beautiful and brand-new start,

You are the miracle right here,

That rebuilt my expecting heart.