running with the wild things
racing ahead of shadows
claims from the sunshine
speckle lightly on the face

faster than her own feet
tripping a surface courageous
arm's length from disaster
always tugging at loose strings

nature’s constant movement
receives the fearless, little outlaw
landing soft at the top of a hill
intently picking flowers

chosen and counted
maintaining links for a chain
plucking only yellows and white
colors that shine in the night

skipping petals drowned scarlet red
blood from a heart broken
better off dead
I collided with the words
spoken as a child

all around her flowers bloom
this heart so strong in rebel spirit  
love will never stay long or abide
in a thing so wild

humbled forever by the moment
blinded by her crown
silenced with the presence
treasures hidden and found

Terry D’Arcy-Ryan