a pantoum for Micah, age 5 months
When you first laughed
your family stood
surrounding you
oh how sweet the sound
Your family stood
filled with awe
oh how sweet the sound
of happy forevers beginning
Filled with awe
we are your cloud of witnesses
of happy forevers beginning
on the last day of your first winter
We are your cloud of witnesses
surrounding you
on the last day of your first winter
when you first laughed
Micah, here are your first laughs, captured on video. Your mom, dad, big sister, Grandpa, and I were all there to see it. Notice that the word “Happy” is on your onesie. I hope you know, someday, how much happiness you’ve brought to all of us. This actually occurred on the last day of winter. Your first spring has begun. A whole lifetime of love, blossoming…
You are a joy, sweet Micah-roon.
Love you forever.
—Franna
*******
with thanks to Two Writing Teachers for the Slice of Life Story Challenge every day in the month of March
lit bits and pieces 
So sweet. Great memories captured. Just beautiful, Fran. Wishing Micah decades and decades of laughing happy. Franna too!
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The pantoum is the perfect vehicle for this moment! I love the kismet of the onesie, the auspiciousness of the day, the whole package of being completely present for those belly laughs.
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A baby’s laughter is a blossom. Seeing baby photos from friends, seeing g their toddler antics, these all helped me during the pandemic. Babies give us hope.
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Heartwarming . Thank you for sharing.
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Loved the Pantoum. It has been a while since I have written one. Thank you for reminding me.
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There is no more perfect way to start the day than with the laughter of a baby. She is living totally in the moment, surrounded by love. That laugh is from the belly – – I just want to pick her up and snuggle her and kiss those cheeks. The great thing is that laughter and love are contagious. Keep posting videos of all this sweetness. She’s a doll baby.
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There is nothing, nothing quite so precious as a baby’s laughter and when you hear it for the first time, it doubles the pleasure! Lovely poem, lovely video.
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Oh, Fran! What a wonderful poem for this occasion. Pantoums are one of my favourite forms & you really make this one work. The last stanza was particularly gorgeous.
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Thank you, Amanda – a secret: I wrote the last stanza first and worked up from there. 🙂
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The world needs more of that chuckle. I caught a few squeaks in there too! I’m still smiling as I type this. And the fact that you could all be there to share in this moment makes it more wonderful, more wondrous. THANK you for this!
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