Squirodite

my 5 year old daughter only wants to run through the park, loping beside our wolf-puppy, both lean & fierce, joyful as she tosses her hair back & suddenly I see my body in hers, tireless & certain, despite my pounding heart & damaged limbs, I run&run& then she gives for a moment, tumbled full-length in the grass, feeding the puppy from her cupped hands, & demanding, scratch my back too! then down her sides & over the ripples of her ribcage, her leaping heart & tummy, still baby-soft, until the shadows reach us & I must give her back, inch by inch, a long, twirling hug my mother will echo with sad arms, murmuring, you look really good,