Her smell.
The touch of her soft skin on mine.
The sound of her gentle breath.
The wonder in her tiny form.

I hold her in my arms.
I cradle her.
Love surrounds her.
She smiles.

For the first time today,
I am free
To feel the joy
In this precious moment.
A new day has dawned.

The mask I used to wear
To hide the pain
With its painted on smile,
Has fallen away.
No longer a puppet,
Crushed and dying inside.

Now I smile at her smile.
A flutter of joy in my heart.
A new life,
So precious,
So perfect.

My broken heart
Has found peace.
The mask has gone.
My voice,
My truth,
Has set me free.

I am reborn.
Less broken.
Decades healed.
In the marvel of her smile,
I have found my peace.

Janet Groom

Photo by 28703 from Pixabay