Still Life With Toddler

For Henry

no, you say. no no no,

arms emphatic, invisible runner safe.

you drop a book into the well of my legs crisscrossed

to read to you 5 times 4 agains,

so where baby’s toes are can’t come as a surprise.

i forgot how these mornings go slow/fast.

what’s my name? please. i want to hear you say it.

you grin, reach into your mouth, hand me a clot of banana.