Home » Poems » Daniel Cwiak » Dedicated To Ashley

Dedicated To Ashley

When she first saw me
She was in fear.
She would do anything
Except come near.


Oh, I didn't blame her
For her fear of my being.
I was wrapped in bandages and used a walker
Little kids can be afraid of those things.


Then, when I was stronger
I walked only with the cane.
She was still too young to understand
Fear was in her eyes, again.


So she would cling to her mother's apron
Following her around the room.
Like a little caboose stuck on the back of a train
As down the track it would zoom.


The accident I had was painful
Left me with problems that can't be cured.
The hardest one of all of them
Was trying to get a little girl to not be injured.


Time has gone by...it's been five years past
Since I hit that tree.
And how time has made a differernce
Between me and little Ashley.


She sees me walk now without the cane
And has realized that I'm no ogre.
So when she sees me come into a room
She smiles and doesn't go diving for cover.


We play games together she and I
Or use crayons and color a bit.
Some days we'll play with puzzles or read,
Other times we chat and just sit.


It's been a wonderful journey for me
To have this little one sit with me for an hour.
Instead of having her to run and hide
Expecting her only to cower.


For there is something so resiliant in children
That makes us old folks young.
And when they are afraid of us
Our hearts are only stung.


But Ashley doesn't sting my heart
Except with the love she now shows.
And I feel so grateful and sillilly young
From my head down to my toes.


She is not my child but a niece
Who has taken over the heart of an old man.
Especially when she sees me coming
And says, "Where've you been, Uncle Dan?"


She's is now fearless and full of life
And mirth and smiles and laughter and glee.
So here's a birthday poem for this dark haired cutie
Dedicated to little Ashley!

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.