I Can’t Text My Three-Year-Old

Or send my baby an emoji

Image by Rachel B. Baxter

I can’t text my three-year-old,
or send my baby an emoji —
a kissy face, a smile, or even a heart.

I can’t text my three-year-old
to apologize for losing my patience
while helping her get ready for school.

I can’t send my baby an emoji
to let her know that I’m thinking about her
even while she’s asleep.

I can’t FaceTime my three-year-old
so I can see what she’s working on at school,
so I can see what she’s made that she’s so proud of.

I can’t text my baby a video
of myself smiling while folding her onesies,
thinking about how cute she looks in each one.

All of the grown-ups that I love
are only a tap, a snap, a click away,
keeping connections almost too convenient.

But, as for my children, we must rely
on old-fashioned communication, body language,
and palpable affection.

We must rely on heartfelt apologies that aren’t instantaneous,
hugs and kisses we can feel, not just see, and
moments, real moments, that fly away as quickly as they arrive.

about me.