SHE IS FOUR


Her knees covered in dirt
The dress she wears
Ruffled and wrinkled
She screams with laughter

The rabbit she has been chasing
Went under the fence
She can see him breathing hard
His pink eyes peering at her

Reaching in and up
She tries just to touch him
She is four today
Cake smudges around her mouth

Her tongue sticks out with concentration
So intent on her present
She tastes the frosting
Momentarily distracted, the rabbit runs

She turns and falls
Again the scream of laughter
Followed by a giggle
Then the chase across the garden

Falling down every few steps
Determination in her eyes
Joy filling her body
Awkward in her youthful grace

The rabbit finally trapped
She picks him up gently
Holds him in close to her chest
Then kisses him over and over

Michael V Hechtman Copyright 2000