A poem for Arlo Isaac

To the one who joined us here.

Who, on this day, took a breath in and out

And are now the nows of tomorrow.

You are the needs of the day

And you are the want in our hearts.

You are the tension of living room parkour

And you are the love of sleepy dawn nuzzles.

You are sandbox, whiplash, warrior cries

And you are front door, single-stem gifts.

You are messy bed head cowlicks

And you are strawberry sweet scented hair.

You are Hotwheel, Lego mayhem

And you are turn-another-page peace.

You are rap songs, rock songs, Phil Collins drum solos

And you are worship songs, opera songs, faint, tender humming.

You are the loud voice I never had

And the joy when I cannot jump.

You are a head-strong fortified hill

And you are pure innocence in laughter.

You hear with inclined ear,

You see deepest in details,

You feel fully.

You are His first, at your your first breath.

And ours second—

So let’s breathe in and out.

The chaos and the calm.

For your today, and the tomorrows to come.

Arlo - “a fortified hill” Isaac - “he who laughs”

“I praise you because I am fearfully and

wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.”

-Psalm 139:14