SIGN LANGUAGE

She said things
without a sound
eye level with her child,
knees on the ground,

simple gestures,
a play with hands,
like etching textures
in the sand, intelligible
and planned,

a smile in agreement
a knod of endearment
a child without a fuss,
an extra doughnut
for a new haircut

a small leap of
satisfaction, no one
could hear,
a child's reaction,
louder than any cheer.