Drummed

I’ve read the board book
Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb
To five sons now.
I bounce them gently as I tap
The rhythm
On legs or belly or book.

Caleb was playing with me
In the bedroom, banging on the door,
When I tapped out the board book rhythm
And quoted a line.

He looked first at my hands,
To ensure the book was not there.

Then he ran to the living room,
Searched shelf, searched floor,
Snagged book, and ran back.

And we read, and drummed,
Together.