Photograph

This is Dre Allen

My baby, my little piece of Allen Banks himself

His big brown eyes that remind me of my own staring up at me

Looking at me like he’s not used to being around me

But he knows who I am

And his chubby finger reaching out to touch my nose

This is me looking down at him smiling

Seeing so much of my father, myself and my sister in his looks

Thinking of all the things I’ve missed so far in his life

And how fast he has grown up

Remembering the first time I held him in my arms at the hospital

How tiny and pale he was,

Freaked out by how much I already loved him

Like he was my own…

This is unconditional love

This is the outcome of the most treasured people in my life

This is Auntie Love

Forever

From the beginning till the end

Always.