Baby Catalogue

my mouth is open, ready

to bite your tiny toes

nails sharp as the shells of sunflower seeds.

 

my belly is ready, rounding

to grow your matchstick arms

your pinprick pupils.

 

that place in our bedroom

below the window, sun-bathed,

ready for the box of your sleep.

 

we will be ready for your toes, arms, dreams.

we will sell our guitars and crush out our cigarettes.

we will learn to clean, paint, rhyme, wake, sing, quiet.

 

we will soften our grips and strengthen our walls.

we will open.