For Niko (April 5th poem)

So little but so strong

You throw your brother into

The air and laugh

You are silent

When others are crying

You are a rock

A tiny tiny shiny rock

And I want to grab you

Shake you make you

Promise me not to be

So strong so strong

Chocolate cherub child

Giggly gorgeous girl

You don’t have to know

Everything womanchild

Sometimes you can be wrong

Don’t grow up to take care

Don’t hide your feelings

Share

Don’t make yourself small

For anyone

Don’t be the rock

Others rely upon

You don’t have to be strong

And you don’t have to float and fly and flit

Away, you can stay

Present be here

Be fully YOU in every way