At two

At two


Teeth glisten white at two
in the afternoon. Soft feet
feel the grass between the toes.
Arms open wide to be picked up.

A small voice questions the world
and mimics every movement.

The umbilical cord
now stretches like a leash,
enough to explore within sight
of mom or dad or uncle.
Rooms and yard are childproofed,
all danger banished,
until the diapers are abandoned.

But at Two,
each day's enjoyed that,
between the naps,
stretch like a lifetime
full of wonder.

© Kåre Enga

18 august 2004.
Catalogue number: [161.468]

For Gary McPike, Jr. when his son was turning two.