Girl in the Popsicle Dress

She walked into school by herself today and ran into my arms when I returned. We had a special day together.  Her mammy out for the day with her dad.  Silly me I forgot the pinic.  Well it made a few laughs and chats with the lads (Rainbow Cat, Kitty, Flowery and all the slippers too).  Blanket spread in front of the martello tower on Red Island.  Watching a family on their kayaks as we ate, snuggled and laughed.

We missed the que for icecream.  She pointed to all the candy fairy doors.  Strawberry in a cup.  Walked slowing on the pier holding her hand tightly.  Watching the trollers preparing for the night.  Smell of sea and old fish still in my nose. Climbed the stairs and watched three lazy floating seals all begging the walkers for some fish.  Seen a group of teenagers and I wondered where they would be if they were your's and mine?
Where are their mother's and father's when the sun shines?

We ran across the road to the playground.  For once I don't think we were cold.  I think I ordered a pizza with extra pepperoni.  She took the order perfectly and then helped a baby climb up on in. We sang the see saw song, went to prison and climbed different ladders.  She met a friend on the swing set.  Watching her innocence run free. When we left we just sat outside on the grass and watched a worm slowly digging her way back home.

We jumped in the car and I had to get the blue starfish from the boot. We talked through the short drive home.  Jumped on the trampoline with those blue starfish.  Her hazel eyes hypnosis like a full moon with Jupiter close besides.  When Mam came in through the front door.  We were silently surprised.  Back with Granddad from their drive.  I must have prayed a million times he'd drive safely.  We told her about our day and she came out side to help us fill up our balloons as threw then at each other's feet.  Played in the pool and started crying as soon as we didn't interact.  I felt so guilty because I know the sun will go down one day and I'll wake with a Woman by my side. But if these days lasted forever, I guess I would never have cried when it came time to reflect apon the day.

I can't believe she's my daughter.  She looks so beautiful in her popsicle dress and her yellow cardigan covering her shoulders.  Icecream sprinkles on her chin.  Her smile bright as June.  The sun will shine here forever in my dreams.  When she wrapped her arms around me from behind, though it was the first time it felt as though she had done it 100 thousand times before.  It was like she was grown and I was old.  Man... sometimes it feels like I'm living in rewind.