Daughter

Daughter

Shining Starr

I can see the twinkle in your green eyes

The heir to your mother's golden-brown hair

and your father's temper

Boricua blood

Half New York City 

Half Coqui

You smell like Ponce breeze 

and laugh like music en el Barrio

Your tiny hand can hardly grip my finger

But you're big enough for my heart to live in you

I can imagine the day when you ask, 

"Papi, you love me?"

And I reply, "My baby, my love,

Papi loves you more than he can ever express

More than you will ever know"

I will protect you from the cuco in your closet

and the monstruo under your bed

I will be your Charlie Brown,

Elmo,

Backyardigan,

Big Bird

Your wikipedia 

And your Google

Each night finds me holding you 5 minutes longer 

against your mother's protests.

"You're spoiling her, Rob"

"You mean the way I spoil you?"

Your first words will sound like heaven

Your first steps will shake my foundation

Daddy's little girl will be Daddy's entire world

When you're older, mijita, I will keep you safe from the bad boys 

and be tough on the good ones

I'll complain about each puppy love,

strangle each heartbreak

and beat the shit out of your first.

That's what Dad's are supposed to do, right?

Your grandmother will shout, "Ahora vas a pagar todo lo que hicistes conmigo."

My guitar, keyboard and drum playing princess

Salsa bomba plena barefoot dancing jibarita

Hip hop soul house hoop earring urban babydoll

Kisses before you sleep

Raspberries when you wake

I'll watch you splash in the tub

Help you make a mess

Play with Mami's makeup

2 feet tall tippy toe to the mirror

Lipstick smeared, pearl necklaces, a ring on each finger

Don't worry, I won't tell 

Your brothers will teach you well

Jimmy to handle the art

ChuChu will cover the Beatles

Judah on the rules of the house

BenBen on how to break them

We will be a family of music

A family of laughter

A family that will not always eat together 

but will always LIVE LIFE together

The youngest,

La mas chiquita, 

La bebe

The center of attention

The one we will all guide

Educate 

Comfort

Love

And empower

A strong and proud Boricua you will be

Although you're not here yet

I can smell your hair

Feel your babysmooth skin

And on that day

When we hear your petite cry 

as you come from your mother's womb

Starr Iraida Irizarry-Perez

We will celebrate your birthday

And the day that I'm finally and utterly complete

Copyright © 2010 by Roberto Irizarry

Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 4:38am