Miss Chloe-Sunshine

sweet as a tangerine--
behind your ears
is my favorite kissin' spot.

we spent the week on the beach
scrounging for broken sea shells
and eating sand--
finding it in places
the Florida sun don't shine.

The night we went sailing
and you squealed with delight--
the dolphins at the bow,
your sticky fingers,
and the tantrum you threw when the
seagulls took your cheetos.

Your hair is longer
than when I saw you last
and I was so afraid that you
might not remember me--
but you ran to me with outstretched arms
and that impish glint in your eye
that reassured me you were still
the little you that loved me so.

We sang and prayed before bed
and I turned my head away
and cried
when you were punished
for childish antics
and telling Daddy, "no"--
I hate that my brother spanks you.

We took a walk on the day that I left
you held me tight around the neck
and you asked if you could come too.
I promised you Christmas
and all the spoilings that only
Aunt Nae Nae can provide--
two months seems like forever.

my visit flew by
and I was gone
almost as fast as
your little footprints
in the sand.

but at night
when I lay in bed and think
of you so far away
my naked baby in the sea,
laughing in the surf,
our sweet time together,
you are just as close
as when I held you in my arms.