Cute Button Child

Nine months three hours your visit here on Earth;
This morning's time with parting, after birth.
Strange world this one which brought you here to us –
And now we part, and deep we feel the loss.

Some folks say ‘No, let's not proceed this way;
Let’s end it now – we need this way to stay.’
But here you came, and touched our hearts so brief;
That joy cuts through the deeper part of grief.

A glimpse, that's all, we got of your short life –
A touch, response, warm presence in cold strife.
Some ask what that was really all about;
I’d say, 'tis love, and life, without a doubt.

For what in life do we folks really see
Of lives around which buffet you and me?
Brief glimpses, flashed through hours of foggy blur –
A glint of skate, and pom-pomed tears – a swirl –

A laughing reach in pool with hair swept back;
Those dancing eyes triumphant on the track;
That look of awe at wondrous gentle flower;
The thrill of strength at boy’s maturing power.

Such Kodak moments – all that's left at end –
Though mili-seconds, serve to life extend
From childhood days to dimming hours of age;
Like buttons, help us former life engage.

Your life today, out here amidst our kind –
Just three short hours, each moment’s brought to mind,
A life in mini-Kodak-moments bright,
Cute button-child, compressed, before our night.

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