At the feet of a child

At the feet of a child
for Emma —– ——— (b. 1995)

The earth is young again tonight
And innocent of dinosaurs

Of war and famine; and small,
Cauled underneath a child:

Seven months, Emma rocks
On all small fours and belly

Rocks back and forth
Until her feet find traction

And, gurgling, she launches
Into her first crawl, sets us

And the earth in motion

(from This Carting Life, © Kwela/Snailpress, 2005)

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