A LITTLE GIRL


A stream runs through my mind
There is the green of long grass
On the north side
A tree with many branches
And amber leaves
To the south

I cup my hands and take a drink
The water clear and cold
A young child runs across the field
She tumbles into the stream
I reach to help her up
Before I can she jumps to her feet

She says I am a big girl
Then she leans into the stream
And drinks tongue lapping
I sit with my back to the tree
Look up through the branches
The sun shines through hot

The little girl comes over
Sits next to me
She looks up at me with starry eyes
I wonder what does she want
She speaks but I can�t hear her
I bend over closer to her

She wants to hear a story
What story would she like to hear
I remember back to when I was young
What questions I had of the world
I ask her what story
would you like me to tell

Softly and with a smile she says
What is it to be Human
Such a question
From one so small
I am taken aback somewhat
But she has me thinking now

To be human is to love
And to be loved
It is falling and getting back up
To look into the eyes of a stranger
And see yourself
Being human is all things

To explore and solve this universe
While still maintaining dignity in the individual
Seeing what is possible
And not shying away because it is difficult
Holding onto hope for the future
When all appears lost

Being human is the simplest
And at the same time the hardest
It is smelling a rose
And being stung by a bee
Accepting hatred but not returning it
It is talking to a child

Yet understanding the child is new
But still has intelligence
It is seeing faults but not dwelling on them
Giving a hug when none is needed
And listening when someone needs to talk
Standing up and being heard when no one will listen

There is always someone out there
That will welcome your humanity
You will find friends true and false
Cherish the ones that respect and love you
They will be yours forever
To be human is a kind frailty of life

The little girl had fallen asleep at my side


Michael V Hechtman