To Taylor, From Nana
by Cindi Rigsbee

I was there
the first time
you saw a balloon.

I watched your eyes,
blinking wide with wonder,
and your little feet
kicking and punching
the excited air
around you.

I was thinking
about ee cummings
who wrote,
“who knows if the moon’s a balloon?”
and thought about one day
when I will show the moon
to you
while singing
I see the moon and the moon sees me.

which made me think
of my own little baby girl
many years ago
who would laugh a little toddler laugh
and squeal
“sing moon, mommy! sing moon!”

and I would sing moon.

one day we will all be sitting around
telling you
“I was there when you were born”
and “I heard your first cry”
and “I walked the floor
that first week
when you wouldn’t sleep.”

And I will be the one smiling…
remembering
you at four months old…
and I will think:
I was there
the first time
you saw a balloon.