puffed
up with the promise
you
lean close and take my hand
magpie
chatter tripping from your lips
as you
struggle
to
keep your new shoes on the sidewalk
your
attention scatters
with
thoughts of bicycle, kite, talk, the park
daddy
and mommy together
and
you with me again
the
anticipated strangeness
a
faint whisper
in
your eyes
a
tightening of your hand
in
mine
we do
not speak
of
what kept you away
there
is no need
as
shouting with abandon
the
kite scudding along the ground
you
pirouette
entangling yourself
in
string and giggles
I
didn’t believe hard enough
in the
tenacity
of
your love
for us
shining in your blue-green eyes
the
strength
of
your hand
reaching for mine
tethers us both
--Katherine M. Searle
15 April 2008
