for Arden

She purses lips
together, smiles, and
breathes forth gurgles, a squeal and would-be words,
contagious joy she’s saved for this moment.

Her chubby arms
become butterfly wings
and carry her into a waiting world
whose wide arms would enfold her spirit full.

Her angel hair
catches the filtered light
as her eyes open to discovery.
All is beautiful possibility.

She tip-toes off,
on a grand adventure,
and I know she will find her way through maze
of space and time, through haze of reason, rhyme.