No Escape

Light rises into being;
and windsong and children’s laughter
rise into light.

Across the street
children swat a ball
and run and yell
laughing.

I was also a child
of light and laughter,
unfraught days
and soft summer nights
of lilac and honeysuckle.

Outside my window
trees reach out
maybe in thankfulness.
Do they remember their
saplinghood,
struggling up for light,
down for sustenance?

A slim blond child runs by,
ponytail bouncing.
I want her to celebrate.
I want her to understand:
Life is incurable.