On the Much Anticipated Arrival of my niece Ruth

by Vilo Elisabeth Westwood

Baby Ruth,
there is already a candybar named after you,
Did you know?

I got the news
of your possible departure
on the trip earth-side
just now

from Grandpa Z.

He. Is. So. Excited.

I am too. Two?
There are so many more than two
waiting eagerly for you.

Like your brother, or big bother,
nestled in with Gigi
probably reading books
& talking about bugs or the dogs.

Currently riding my scooter, on the frontage road.
Watching the wild/sun/flowers & sagebrush
and thinking of strong, brave, beautiful, smart:

Your Mother.
She is amazing,
Did you know?

She had your brother
soon after presenting her dissertation
& days before Christmas.
She did it natural; she knew that she could.

Your father & Gigi & Grandma Ruth
by her sides.
Supporting her
Literally and figuratively.

I wished I could have been there.
But I knew she had what she needed
And your dad texted or called me
when they had questions that I might answer.

Screaming pass the point of the mountain
I am on the horizon line,
The point where it all disappears;
Or maybe All comes together

I round the corner,
& have to slow d o w n . . .
There *here* is a car
Obeying the speed limit.

On this outlaw road.

Sometimes, I guess, as I plod along,

It's good (smart?)
to follow
The Rules.

It's probably a grandma
Driving carefully.