MY CHILD

I wish to always see you cascading down that mulch pile &ndash; legs, akimbo, hair flying. In that moment, all there is – will be &ndash; your smile, eyes full, a shadow stretching as you accelerate and fill my vision. Your laughter so young, wrapped in soft armor, shielded from everything I fear, from the fierce hold you have in my heart as you, always, run closer.