Eyes wide with troubled wonder she looks at me.
I long to take her in my arms and soothe her disquiet,
But I know it won't be welcome.

Little one,
I wish I could explain the world to you.
I wish I could tell you that these things will pass.
I wish I could tell you that one day these weights of your mind will just be fleeting memories,
not to let them drag you down.

Then she smiles at me.
Deep dimples and shining hazel eyes.
Mood shifts in a mercurial instant.
She climbs onto my lap and slender arms envelop my neck,
Her breath warm in my hair.
I move with glacial slowness to return this rarest of embraces, fearing to break the spell,
my breath held,
I close my eyes and imprint this moment on my soul;
it may not come again.

This most precious of gifts,
the touch of a child who won't be touched,
overwhelms me.