The relationship cycle -

At first you knew just one person -

Mother, whose eyes were most likely

To project love and protection.

And if fortunate, other family members' eyes

Could be seen and recognized -

Hoping for more friendly eyes

The body expands its awareness

Into the forms, shapes and sounds around

Urging you into a mobile search

For meaning and context and new people

Who each see a unique world.

Their circumstances explored

Their narrative exposed,

And the range of their knowledge

Leading to more eyes to understand.

Allowing the sequence to unfold

The double helix of chromosomes

And a new birth occurs

With you as the eyes the baby sees first,

And what will the baby see in those eyes?

Love, hope and joy?

Or something else?

And will your eyes propel him

To explore new people with optimism?

To seek out a broad world -

Open to others and their situations?

Open to hear their stories?

As your relationship cycle

Closes in from hundreds to a few -

Until the night closes in and your eyes

Finally close remembering the first.