You’ll Always be First

You will always be Mommy’s first boy to break into this world

with great strength, and vigor and LOUD, red-faced cries.

You will always be the first to keep Mommy awake

for most of a night just to snuggle and nurse.

You will always be the first to smile and giggle

when Daddy made funny faces for you.

You will always be the first to speak sweet words

like Mama and Dada and Maga and Papa.

You will always be the first to say things your way, like

“Sunshine is too loud! and

“Yeggs (eggs), geemanas (pajamas), Buddon (brother) and fliers (wings).

Alligator (elevator) and Misscadas (cicadas) and

“Mama, It’s Okay” with that tender touch only you can employ.

You will always be the first to ask for a hug

and perfectly, simply tell me of your love.

You will always be the first to stand up and walk

just a few steps wobbly right into my arms.

You’ll always be the first to suddenly have teeth

that bruised then broke forth and changed your sweet face.

You’ll always be the first to nurse one last time

before I kissed you and said our night, night.

You’ll always be the first to grab at my heart

and pull with such might I think it might break.

You’ll always be the first little boy that I missed

when you finally slept without any visits.

You may no longer be our only but you will always,

always and forever be firstborn, first laughs, first kisses,

first love rooted to the deepest parts of all we are.