for Laura

I

My baby is gone
I glance away
blink, turn
and she's gone
that little bundle
so small, so cute
has left

She and three other girls
are spending spring break
out of town

I'm lost in this worry
I'm not even sure
she always looks both ways
when she crosses the street

And I want it all again
I want to do it
all over again
not to do it better
just to do it again

II

The night before last
we went out for dinner
to celebrate my birthday
she's treating me to dinner
and occasionally smiles
past my shoulder
at this almost toddler
who stares at us so serious
her smiles and hellos
slowly warm him to a grin
and I know
someday some young man
will wrap that smile
round his heart
will bind himself to her
and she will open

Someday
she will bring this bundle to me
and say "Look, Big D,
look at what I've done!"
and before that daybreak smile
I will weep
and throughout that joy
I will want it all again
I will want to do it
all over again
not to do it better
just to do it again

III

I know that some day
her baby will leave
will bring to her a bundle
and say "Look, mom,
look at what I've done!"
and before that smile
she will weep in joy
she will want it all again
she will want to do it
all over again
not to do it better
just to do it again

She will want to do it all again.