the intensity of her gaze

Isabel at Six Months

she’s doubled the days of her life
since I’ve last seen her,
and I almost do a double-take
at how transformed she appears,
it’s like pieces of puzzling shape
that click into order somewhere within
and you know the ambiguous as clear,
the shape both familiar and never seen before,

so much of her behind the eyes
coming into focus for her, too,
and she’s an explorer in a new land
and there’s wonder all around her--



I describe the intensity within her face as

discerning,

pensive,

deadpan,

I feel the power of her considering,
and I hope that after she sees me true
she will smile,
for I feel the power of her head and heart,
and I want to be found worthy
of being a part of her world.


by Henry H. Walker
December 21, ’08