Life’s Moments

The child looks out her toy window
and imagines her adult self sailing   
on the blue ocean of the old hat box 
that holds her communion veil. 
Her childhood dances alone 
along the berm’s dawn light as 
the sloop plies onto the sand.
They hug and gallop  horses 
bareback in the vanishing mist
while Tess, the sea turtle fairy, 
prepares a picnic spread on 
play plates filled with strawberry 
swirls, blue napkins tucked into
triangles, and origami sandwiches
with the crust cut off, of course.

The adult stares out her picture
window and before noticing 
the green lushness of all things
just outside her purview,
catches the reflection of 
her wrinkle hands atop 
her wrinkled knees—
and the stale crumb 
from her breakfast toast 
falling to the floor 
for her cat to sniff.