My Lilly for so Long

for the competition Lily,
and for my beautiful daughter, Lillyanna


She fell from the sky
and into my arms.

Lilly,
little dancing flower.
Sun kissed
beauty.
Loves every color
of the rainbow,
and every person
who smiles with her.
She has the power to melt
the sternest of nurses,
and leaves in her wake
a happy trail of petals.

She believes every girl
is a princess.
In giggles and snuggles
and scary things in the dark.
That no man
is stronger than her daddy,
and mommy's kisses
heal all heartaches.
She believes in magic.

Sweet Lilly,
I can already see your place
among the stars.
She rests her head on my shoulder
and looks up at the twinkling night sky
making wishes.
She wants long hair
and "lillypops".
I want her to not grow up so fast.
Already so much fire
in such a tiny frame.
I know I can only hold her
for so long.

Dance
little flower
Lilly.
Dance and take your bow.
You hold hearts
in every smile,
every tear,
and the world
around your little finger.