There was a little girl
six years ago
who braided her sisters' hair
with dandelions and lilies
and other pretty things.

She sang a little rhyme
as her fingers danced
and her little sisters, sitting
were wholly entranced.

There was a little girl
five years ago
who played piano with finesse
and took lessons with her sisters
so they could play together.

She sang a little rhyme
as her fingers danced
and her little sisters, sitting
were wholly entranced.

There was a little girl
four years ago
who stitched her sisters' teddies
with blue and yellow thread
when they tore during play.

She sang a little rhyme
as her fingers danced
and her little sisters, sitting
were wholly entranced.

There was a little girl
three years ago
who taught sisters how to turn
shadows into puppets
to keep fear of dark at bay.

She sang a little rhyme
as her fingers danced
and her little sisters, sitting
were wholly entranced.

There was a little girl
two years ago
who plucked guitar strings
as opposed to her sisters' piano
and her brother's violin.

She hummed a little rhyme
as her fingers danced
and she stayed behind
while her siblings advanced.

There was a little girl
one year ago
who looked at her dancing fingers
and wondered why they couldn't hold on
to the quick-slipping time.

h.f.m.