along a city street,
sprawling;
a young child
in a stroller
bawling;
as if his pain
lay at the heart
of everything.
his parents,
unperturbed,
ignore him presently,
though they bear him
lovingly.
like a nestling
in a tree,
or a diamond
set in jewellery:
the world around,
no less than him:
secure, flourishing,-
not exempt from harm-
though safe enough
for him to learn,
after the tears,
how precious he is,
how much part
of love.