“I found it!”


The giggle of a little girl,
light and bright and unafraid,
pierced the thick, unyielding air.

I welcomed it, 
               like cooling shade.

I let it soothe my anxious thoughts,
              envelope me in better days.

I met her gaze and matched her smile,
              encouraged her with eager praise.

She laughed full out, then turned away
              and left me there, alone again….


Had I her faith, I’d be as brave.

Had I her youth, I might pretend.