BABY ROOMBA’S BABY BROTHER

        Blake, our year-old vac,
            makes tracks to mimic
                sister Senja’s.
                    Angling across the floor --
                        guided by some cosmic engineer -- 
                    to cabinets and drawers
                he searches, changes direction,
            and picks up . . .
        always on the go. 
            Senja, Baby Roomba years ago,
                the first to open our kitchen drawers,
                    swept up learning skills
                        that began her world explore.
                            Now Blake pulls and slams
                        reachable doors
                    piling pie tins on the floor.
                Then, bouncing down . . . all fours . . .
            reprises motor skills
        from just two weeks ago,
            to reach his Easter basket
                with its music maker shakers.
                    Through his Stevie Wonder grin
                        he communicates the ecstasy 
                            of shaking out
                                a sound again and again.
                            He completes his toddle  
                        with a random Roomba swagger
                    to the John Deere Gator.
                On and off the riding toy,
            not yet in control
        of facing aft or fore,
            he grins at the noise its buttons trigger
                but can’t quite figure
                    how to work them
                        with his fingers.


DRK
Easter, 2011