On My Knee
It is only for a moment
I can keep you on my knee.
You didn’t want to be here
in the first place.
You would much rather run around
as fast as your bowlegs can carry you.
You would much rather run
with flailing steps and flying arms
over to the bright, shiny thing
to see if it has buttons
although it didn’t
the last time you went to it.
You would much rather run into
the other room
where I can’t see you
and high adventure awaits.
But I caught you.
And placed you on my knee.
For only a moment
you agreed to this unexpected yoke.
Then you thought
if you just squirmed and wriggled
and made enough faces
you would be free again.
Wrong.
I caught you fair and square
with one lightning quick scoop
and placed you on my knee.
So now,
even when you squeal
and you kick your legs,
I will keep you.
This twinkling in time is precious to me.
I know that eventually,
you will turn your head
and look me in the eye.
This may be only for a brief moment,
but it will happen.
And when it does,
the only thing you will see from me
is pure love.
Of course,
you won’t see it that way.
You will see it as a moment
between a captive and a capturer.
You will see it as the perfect time
to stiffen your back
and try to slide down
and slither through my hands.
But I am wise to your tricks.
I am wise to your ways.
You will not slip my grasp
to get to that staircase,
which you find so fascinating.
Not this time.
You see,
I have tricks of my own.
I know if I bob you up and down
and bounce you from side to side,
I can keep you a few moments longer,
while my heart swells.
I might even get a smile from you.
But I won’t get my hopes up for that.
Perhaps a tickle will work.
I know just where and how to do it.
And your arms are perfect
little holding tools.
I know if all else fails,
I will just encircle you tight
to my body
and make sounds at you.
You will not understand them
and they are not words.
Just sounds of love,
from this small part of life.
I know
I will have to let you go.
But not just now.
For now, you are on my knee.