Sun Block

I rub the lotion
across his tiny shoulders
then down small soft limbs,
not missing an inch
of arms or legs.
The swell of belly,
pushed out
in that gentle way
of a toddler,
and the small bend
of his back,
all get a coat
of slippery white.
Around the sweet curves
of tiny ears
and plump little cheeks
then the tip
of his nose,
all are protected.
Fingers and toes
are the last
to be covered.
And then he knows
he can
slip from between
my hands
to run headlong
into the surf
laughing out loud
in the carefree
joyous way
of a child
who never doubts
that he is
protected
by love
and so
has no fear
of anything.

And I know
in that moment
I will never stop
worrying
about everything.

Offered for the Gold Puppy Blog Fourth Annual (Silent) Poetry Reading.