the baby

when the nurse
hands you a baby,
your baby.
it stuns you.
where are
the directions,
the manual,
who are they to
trust you with
another life,
one so small
and fragile.
but you make due.
you gate
the steps,
plug the sockets.
keep the dog
at bay and sweep
the floor for
pennies. it gets
harder from
there.