The Cradle

The mother hovers even as the child
slips into sleep. The former longs for rest
as well, but woolly worry still runs wild
inside her weary mind. It might be best
to stay attentive for awhile—for just
a little longer—since the fever could
return as twice before. Indeed she must
respond as any doting mother would.
And so her sister—this child’s aunt—applies
the paint which captures and preserves the scene
in which four arms are meant to symbolize
the natural and normal bond between
who has been born and who thereafter bears
responsibilities, concerns, and cares.