On Being Rejected by a Baby

When they are
eight months old
they temporarily attain
the ability to look
directly into your
internal record
of evil and good.

They accept you
and reject you as if
they were standing
behind the desk
of Puritan heaven.

Oh tiny Hannah
why did you spurn me
and pass your
darkened face my way?
I worry that
the neighbor woman
who brings about your smile
will record a
bigger deeper heart
than I.