Nana Poem by Charlotte Ballard

Special friend
Drawn by a babe's
First dimpling smile
Shelter from the
Dark Night, a summer storm
The galing wind,
Confidante of small
Whispers cupped from
Peanut butter smeared
Fingers. Listener
Of secrets and of
Jesus Loves Me
And Hail Mary
Full of Grace
Recited and pledged
From wiggling
Groups of pig-tailed
Girls and of
Scabbed kneed boys
Her touch as soft
As the fur from
A newborn kitten
Eyes not yet open
Never once
Hurting more