She hides quietly,
folding the saffron scented apron
over here shy blue eyes;
A timid and mini sized
mirror of his younger life.

Her mother smiles,
gently pushing her
sweet Penelope
forward to meet
the man coming in
from off the street.

Out of a cab
with a camouflaged
duffle bag
watery eyes
weep.
Not hers
but his
are wet
with the same blueness.

His uniform smells
but does not repel
her curiosity.
Inches away
from his scraggly face
a tiny voice timidly says.
“Are you my daddy?”

With one hand
he wipes away
the purest tears.
With his other arm
he pulls her into
the deepest embrace.