The first day home
she touched him
the way you approach
a not so familiar porcupine
nice and slow

the second day
after leaving the maternity ward
she held him
as if he was
a 20 lb. sack of potatoes
close but awkward

the third day
she caressed him
like a crossword puzzle
touching each different little piece
starting to become familiar
as she laid him on the bed
of the growing image of our new son
tossing
smiles and love