love

I could fill my days 

just gazing on your face 

watching you read,

listening to your prattle. 

I take in every detail,

the way your eyes get all big

and then narrow in a flash,

your face a moving cinema reel, 

expressions flitting across in rapid succession, 

the art with which you roll your eyes 

as you grow from 6 to 7

and become all knowing 

yet still so endearing.

I cannot gaze on you enough, 

cannot thank God enough 

for the gift of you.

Everytime your face crumples,

I long to rush to your aid, 

brandishing a sword 

to cut away the elements that hurt you in any way, 

be it homework or a bully. 

I have to control my impulses,

tell myself to breathe 

before I ask you to breathe, 

to equip you to fight your own battles.

It's hard, when all I want

is to gather you into my arms 

and hold you there,

close to my beating heart.

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I could fill my days 

bottom to top

just gazing on your face 

watching you read

listen to your prattle. 

I take in every detail 

like I'm starved 

noting your features and how they shift

the way your eyes get all big and then narrow in a flash 

your face a moving cinema, expressions flitting across in rapid succession 

and the art with which you roll your eyes as you grow from 6 to 7 and become all knowing yet sweet

I cannot gaze on you enough 

cannot thank god enough for the gift of you

everytime your face crumples into tears i long to ride to your aid,  brandishing a sword to cut away the elements that make you cry, be it homework or a bully. 

I have to control my impulses,tell myself to breathe before I tell you to breathe and equip you to fight your own battles.

its hard when all i want is to gather you into my arms and hold  you there, close to my beating heart