Heather Ober Poet Prose

Puzzle Piece

I watch him closely as his tiny forehead furrows in concentration. He is so focused, so determined as he clutches the puzzle piece with chubby, dimpled hands. He attempts to push it into place among other colourful pieces. It doesn't quite fit.

He exhales - the sweetest, daintiest sigh of frustration. My lips twitch.

He turns the puzzle piece over in his hands, studying it intently. His one-year-old mind is so nimble, so ready to absorb every detail, process every bit of information. He is so candidly curious and eager to learn. Everything is brand new.

With a victorious smile, he pushes the puzzle piece perfectly into place and looks up at me with sparkling brown eyes - his dad's eyes. My heart fills so quickly - so sharply - that my knees feel weak.

I've been a mom for a year, and still, I'm not quite prepared for that surge of pride, that burst of love. A love that is so strong it verges on pain.    

I reach out to stroke my son's golden hair. It's so long now that it's beginning to curl. "Good job, little one. Mommy is so proud of you." He picks up another toy, fascinated by its colour and shape.

I want to press pause, to freeze this moment in time. He is so perfect, so innocent, so carefree. He knows nothing of pain, grief, or despair. I want to wrap him in this moment and keep him safe and happy forever.

But there's no pause button. There's only time, turning moments into memories.

I reach out again, not quite ready to let this moment slip away.

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Paul Callus February 2, 2019 at 4:58 PM This is beautiful, Heather! Had you taken a photo of your child playing, it would have never produced the same expressive and emotional feelings which you projected through these words. I have read it once...twice, just for the sheer pleasure of savoring it; the taste lingers on. ~ Regards // paul

Richard Evans January 26, 2019 at 12:09 AM Sometimes we write poems with our minds, sometimes with our eyes but this poem is definitively written with the heart. Thanks for sharing...…...peace!

Andrea Dietrich December 23, 2018 at 9:19 AM wow, as always you SHINE when you finally come back here and give us a poem!! Missed you, and I welcome you back (unless your little one is taking all your attention!!)

Craig Cornish December 22, 2018 at 10:28 PM When the gift that you've always had is stirred with a love that only a child can bring (and Hubby too), Katy bar the door. Thanks for sharing what we can cherish now and your children one day can cherish forever.

Connie Marcum Wong December 20, 2018 at 4:55 PM I completely relate to your infinite love. Memories like this keep vivid, especially when we capture them in a poem. A fave for me dear Heather! Happy holidays! : ) xxoo Heather Ober December 21, 2018 at 6:43 AM Thank you so much, Connie :) Happy holidays to you too!

Jan Allison December 20, 2018 at 4:30 PM oh Heather I have tears reading your precious wonderful words. I wish I had written poetry when my son was growing up, this is such a tender poem that many will relate to, capture those memories my friend, our little ones grow so quickly. :-) hugs Jan xx Heather Ober December 21, 2018 at 6:42 AM Thank you, Jan :) I haven't written a thing since I got pregnant back in 2017. It feels so good to be writing again, especially about this.