i’m
so
sorry this
three line e-mail
took thirty minutes to write.
just when i think i have it done
i have to jump up and pull a baby, kicking, off the fireplace
   or kiss her tears away after her tumble or suggest a
   new toy or wrest the phone cord from her grip
or turn the TV on because the older one must watch Elmo, and
each time i return i must start over.
this message is far from
perfect, but i’d
better press
send
now.