Daddy's Little Girl

---

At three, with a little push you let go of me, 

and off I went cycling into the unknown.

Daddy’s little girl, with her two pigtails, 

striped dungarees and a gummy smile. 

A little freckled smeared nymph singing 

Black Eyed Peas on repeat and running 

through fields with bare, dirt-stained feet.

Enjoying bright-eyed daydreams of 

whispering flowers, pixie dust and marshmallow clouds. 

Tiny fingertips resting on your stubby cheek, 

asking you if you’d seen any mischievous fairies, as 

you lift me high into the sky. 

I can still feel your hands on my back, telling me to 

look forward and pedal - “daddy, don’t let go!”

Your crinkled almond eyes are looking across at me now

as you watch your little girl make her way into the unknown. 

But daddy, no matter how far I go, I will always come home.