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