My Child

My Child
I hunger for the child in me –
That fair haired child with steps so quick,
Who fell asleep every year while waiting for St. Nick.
That laughing child with eyes so bright,
Who gathered lightning bugs on warm summer nights.
That cherub face child with manners so sweet,
Who laughed when Nanny put socks on the cat's feet.
That curious child with questions ever flowing,
Who always wanted to know what kept things growing.
That playful child with one skinned knee,
Who insisted Granddaddy join her for an afternoon tea.
That bashful child with a pony tail braid,
Who had five boyfriends in the first grade.
That quiet child in a favorite pink blouse,
Who built a world of her own inside a doll’s house.
That fearless child known for taking dares,
Who knelt down each night to say her prayers.
I hunger for the child in me as I watch my life years roll by,
I'd like to catch a glimpse of her once more before I die.
Today I looked into life's mirror to see what I could see,
A familiar stranger was staring back it was the child in me.