Little fingers and toes, to wriggle, to curl,
to point.
Skin, so soft, supple and smooth.
He caught her smile that first time he saw
her.
It stayed with him, a memory to cherish.
Dancing feet, waving hands, a swirl, a twirl
and a plea for one more cuddle, one more
kiss.
Then she was gone.
Till three o'clock and the school bell rang
out.
He waited, by the gate, and looked for that
smile
Amidst the crowd of green and white.
One smile stood out, one smile just for him.
There she was, words tumbling as the delight
of being at school deluged his despair
at no more days with just the two of them,
together, discovering life.
Sports days, meet the teacher, grandparent
morning teas, concerts, presentations,
graduations and at each,
her eyes sought him,
before the smile lit up his life.
Then she journeyed alone, not needing him
through the confusion of identity,
of gothic looks and dark, dark music,
until again, he glimpsed the smile.
She turned to the young man by her side,
and introduced her Poppa,
her past, to her future.
At her wedding, the music surged,
then ebbed.She held his hand, her hands
so soft and supple, her feet light as she
took him for that swirl, this twirl, then
a cuddle, a kiss, a wave.
And they were gone.
Till next time.
The
Poet - Valerie Williams
Valerie
Williams is 47, and parent to a teenage son who has just completed his
secondary schooling.She
has been writing for as long as she can remember, intrigued by the
webs people weave as they move through life.To date, she has had one non-fiction book published, a
research project on volunteering, and three poems.She works in a management role in the health system.She shares her life with friends, family, and two cats.
