a little girl, in fading yellow,
stops to inspect the lady bug
which alights upon her shoe

a mother, arms loaded with shopping bags,
pauses mid-step to allow the
moment of discovery

her weary eyes close
for the briefest of moments
but a smile curves her lips
at the sound of her daughter's laughter

setting the bags aside,
she kneels beside her on the grassy path
and together they trail the lady bug
until it takes flight

08/11/2005