eyes wide with wonderment
fix on me, beseeching attention
rosebud lips part in genuine glee
when my coveted gaze meets hers
she tilts her peach fuzz head and
with a shrug of a shoulder expresses
a learned coyness, a treasured cuteness,
softening this old woman’s jaded edges
clumsy, chubby fingers reach, fumble,
eventually grasp their target, instinctively
raised to mouth, pink fleshy tongue
ready to explore – my aged hands
reacting, reflexes set to protect,
shelter inexperience, purity
I am awed by her perfection –
innocence flanked by innate trust
what do I have to teach this precious soul
whose joy of life, untarnished, mocks
my own brand of cynicism, my words
painted with such bias as to destruct
not encourage the fearlessness she displays
eager arms reach for mine, seeking support
unskilled legs desperate to gain a stride
wobble, infantile toes slightly curled
she leads me to the staircase, pridefully
demonstrates how she’s learning to climb
fear fogs my appreciation, having known
the pain of many falls, I reluctantly follow
admire her determination, the patience
it takes to build such dexterity, a resilience
I could learn from, wonder which of us
has more to offer the other, and then
she is done with the exercise, desires to
descend, has no idea how to proceed, and I
happy to oblige, guide her with the proficiency
of someone artful in the act of backing down.
One Woman's Quest 