When My Daughter Was Very Young

                        I said, "Throw me a kiss."

                        She kissed the palm of her hand,

                        reared back, wound up,

                        and let it fly,

                        hit me high on the cheekbone

                        and knocked me back on my heels

                        so hard I almost fell over

                        stumbled to catch my balance,

                        and she laughed

                        bright as summer sunshine.

                        Whooee. This day

                        just cranked up 10 more degrees

                        brilliance.

                        These smiles of love for life

                        might never leave our faces.