she had him strapped on
chest and belly against hers
arms and legs spread
socks-covered feet dangling
at the sides of her waist

neon fabric and stitching
hugged his soft back
while long black straps flowed
under his arms, over hers
crossing her back
and wrapping around
his diapered bottom

he was only half through
his mid-morning bottle
but already the muscles
in his neck and eyelids
were returning to the
relaxed state they still
knew so well