Barely Three

Was she three? Hard to know now, it might have been more, the "what's that" stage of childhood that loves to explore! She was child of a couple that lived next to us. We were students in college, who'd not think to fuss at such cuteness discovered in package so small. We both doted upon her I think I recall To her parent's delight (but though never all night)! "Oh, what's this?" she asked one day (a tube grabbed by elf), my kaleidoscope lifted from perch on its shelf. "A kaleidoscope, sweetheart!" I said, no reproof. Had her mom seen her reach though, she'd sure 'hit the roof!' Who could tell at the time, this child close as I'd come, Though with missiles in Cuba, worse fate feared by some! No man's child will survive if the earth takes a dive! "A kaleidoscope?" Truly, her diction was bright! She beamed smile like a miracle, rainbows of light as she learned how to turn tube to make patterns change that may not get repeated (although that sounds strange) any more than a snowflake once born meets its twin. Oh, there'll never be gambler more pleasured by win should Christ offer him Grace! That was look on her face! Long Tooth June 3rd in 2020