I Learn From My Children

I learn from my children.
They are closer to innocence than I am.
I learn to wish impossible wishes
And to laugh implausible laughs,
And to bleat with my joyous outside voice.

I learn to giggle at the dirty things,
And to get big eyed at the wonders of bugs and frogs,
To cuddle when I can,
And to wrestle when I can't,
To cry when it hurts,
And to yell when I'm mad.

And I learn to love—
To completely depend
With every fiber of my being
On the pure radiated warmth
Of those I love,
And those who love me.

-jenn long