Never met a stranger

Cat Stevens - The Wind (Host Bodies Remix)

She was a blue blur.  Light pirouettes filled her afternoon as she danced from table to table in her blue dress.  Red flowers provided points along her trim.  She had with her a boundless companion.  She was at a precious age.  It could have been eight.  It could have been nine.  She was caught in that lovely first time where we reach a the precipice: a primary point of becoming.  The one she wanted to become she had decided was one that frolicked.

Her companion was also boundless.  He was also eight, or nine.  Well in his case it was in months.  He was a beige Golden retriever.  Huge paws and a gargantuan head that his body had yet to grow into.  Just like his partner: the world was his oyster.  Curious he pounced from table to table.  With this girl that was fine.  It allowed her to meet.  To introduce herself.  The world would know her... she had decided, and the world would know her.  Each table cooed at this cute drop of heaven.  So innocent, so happy.  They would laugh as the leash of the puppy tied itself around legs of chairs... of people.  It didn't matter.  The dog was just as desperate in its desire to explore... to know.  The girl was happy for it allowed her to meet more people.  She had already decided that she had never met a stranger.  All loved her and she loved all.  A tip of the glass to her.

Her Mom watched out of the corner of her eye.  She knew her daughter was in a safe place.  Yet, being a Mom she stopped her conversation after a phrase or two, for just a glance.  All she wanted was to make eye contact.  To assure that her vagabond was safe.  That was until her daughters boisterous laughter became unstoppable.  The tiny clarion call to life reached all on the patio.

She eventually found her way out to me... or maybe it was her dog.  He sniffed around my feet while she merely smiled.  I said "Hello."  This apparently was tremendously funny as she leaned back her head and laughed furiously.  The puppy, being a puppy, twisted himself into a problem.  I grabbed the leash lightly and told her to get to the other side and guide the puppy back.  Without concern she skipped to aid the canine who in actuality was just fine.

As she walked to the next table, I hoped that she would always remain fine.  Sometimes life, as dreams, as people,  is all too tender.  I hope she never finds a stranger that wants to do her harm.  To take her to places she doesn't want to go.  A cloister that unleashes monsters.  A place that dims the sun she carries by teaching her heart to know fear.  May she continue to never meet a stranger.