Miles & miles of sand.
Our caravan
dot...in the distance.
Lost now in space & time.
Our footprints
follow us
chase after us.
You try
my footprints on for size
get lost in them
you jump in and out of them.
Little foot(within) big foot
such strange animal tracks.
The sea follows obediently
at our side.
An angry little wave
snaps at your feet
bites with cold foamy teeth
your shivering tiny toes.
Squeals & shouts
lost in laughter.
You turn and
sprain the daintiness of an ankle.
Tears of laughter
now “tear” tears.
“There, there...dear! ”
I soothe & scoop you up
into a piggyback
carry you the two hours back.
I sing you songs
discover your
once again laughter
diluting
the frightened crying.
The rhythm of my walking
lulling you to sleep.
Your mouth
pressed against my back
dribbling dreams
down my shoulder.
Your tiny warmth
pressed against me.
Nothing as precious
as this.
We meet our former footprints
still trying to catch up with us.
My feet biting deeper
into the sand.
Me...an unlikely Saint Christopher!
She...ain’t heavy
she’s my daughter
and I could
carry her forever.
Dónall Dempsey
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/carry-her-forever/
