Landslide Bluff at Newfound Gap, oil 2005

The little girl
who played with cats
and gathered flowers
climbed the trees
ran the fields
the sun shined on

The little girl
who hugged his neck
and tried his patience
walked the woods
asked him questions

Little Girl Gone

The little girl
who asked him, "please,"
and begged permission
to go with others
stay up late
to school at dawn

The little girl
who now is grown
and stands before him
his youngest girl
his youngest child

Little Girl Gone

From age 18