The little girl looked up, Smiled, said thanks and the man was puzzled
Confused
Thanks for what, he said, and she smiled
Again
And said thanks for horseyrides, for bike rides and big hugs for night time kisses on cheeks and foreheads and strong arms that carry me up the stairs
Thanks, she smiled the word
For going to work every day and coming home every night for getting on big jet planes and phone calls
for picking up the pieces of your heart every time you go away just to go away and come back and do it again
And again
Thanks, she said
For me
He looked down and shrugged, the weight of petty life things falling off his shoulders and floating away on the soft breeze of her words
Don’t thank me
Thank you
For that small voice in the dark
thanks
and for horseyrides and big hugs for night time kisses on cheeks and foreheads and the privilege to carry you up those stairs
For a reason to work every day and come home every night
And for big jet planes that carry me home
again
Thanks.
For the smile that puts all those tiny pieces back again