Life, the Process

I watch the newborn.

Her smile and frown

are developed naturally.

I see an infant with

its random herky-jerkey

movements not yet fully

familiar with its own

arms and legs, not under-

standing of its given

flexible fingers and toes.

The mind has to learn

what it needs to know,

a body off discovery to

develop and grow.

I am reminded of

what it shall take,

the process in stages

to become an athlete,

a gymnast or ballerina,

who knows perhaps

an artist or musician,

a mechanic or technician,

the dexterity, the balance

the exercise and the strength.

Ah, the infant so tender and

defenseless. How shall she

learn to love and hate, to

to become a productive,

or destructive, an active

or passive member of the

human society? Oh, the

potential is so great.

Here she lies able to

smile and cry, freely

manipulate expressions

of the face. But now,

old and gray, I am able

to process my own thoughts

and movements.But now,

I’m getting ahead of myself.

And yet my stiff and aching

arthritic fingers are still able

to deliver a gentle, coochie

coochie coo. What a precious

and natural wonder this.

And isn’t she cute?

                    -30-

Chris Hanch 5-14-2022