Daughter poem

Stephen Frueh

my wife said “the water’s bubbling up in the shower”
and the toilet sounds funny.
I myself was frumping around worrying about money
and the ‘new-house-being-built-next-door’ sounds
didn’t offer repose on this wednesday morning.

Nevertheless, my five year old daughter- five years, six months and
three days- came into my study ready for her first day of Kindergarten.
Hair shiny wet from the bath braided into a pigtail,
new lavender top with dark blue skirt, rounded five year old tummy.
“How do I look Daddy?” And I looked. Wow. and kissed her told her
she is more beautiful than a sky full of stars or a moon shining
on a still ocean.

Out she went starting on still another trajectory, hopeful, happy, eager.
I picked up the phone and called the plumber.


8/27/03