Baby Aaro

Soft as hugs, tiny hands reach out when the tall one comes to make the silly sounds. Aaro forgets the dark warm place, this new world too big. * Blinks at bright lights and strange faces. Hears songs beyond the funny noises. Wrapped snug in soft blanket folds, Aaro wiggles on. * Dropping milk bubbles on fuzzy cloth, watches shapes moving above: close enough to grab. When sleep comes, Aaro takes a deep breath and dreams away. * Sees a big face smiling in the light, hiding then appearing with a "peek-a-boo." Such a nice game, thinks Aaro, it makes the big one laugh too. * Eyes will not stay on one thing and wander to new colours instead: ceiling fan spinning round and round; herself, Aaro, a small wonder known by warm arms. * Milk fills her tiny tummy. Coos escape from lips still learning to smile. Sleep comes to Aaro's eyes; her fingers, wherever they reach, find something to hold. * A soft blanket against skin; her world, sound-filled, simple as now. Her cries heard always, Aaro babbles to herself as she discovers everything new.