little ancestor

I dream of the world 

behind my daughter’s eyes 

where every weed is a flower

every rock, a jewel

every gust of wind, a relative 

 

The unsteady wobble of her walk

is my first true instruction in patience

her unquenchable curiosity, a promise  

no day is without its own intimate adventure 

and so, like any good student

while she absorbs every fine detail of life around her

I take meticulous note of her

 

I dream of her world

quiet, safe, and full of wonder

and when I am lucky

I am granted invitation

 

she takes my hand upon hers 

a small universe folded in my palm 

she leads me confidently to the next mystery

each one deserving of our full and present awe

 

she is my little ancestor 

my mentor-- 

pointing out every detail and creature worthy of my attention, and aloha 

and so when I fall asleep tonight 

I will conjure her brilliant universe behind my closed eyes

just to stay in her magic, a little while longer