warm learning

warm orange of embers

a toddler would reach out and touch

how gratefully received that we learn

and can teach our children

about danger

how sad that we often teach them

about our fears, not real danger

but warm colors and beauty

surrounding us calms us to listen

and sometimes learn the difference

so the error may end without pain

or violence

“You forgot me”

hiking in the woods as family

father tried to swing

his toddler daughter up

around a steep, muddy spot

but hands slipped apart

she tumbled unhurt to the bottom

whimpering, “You forgot me”

portend of his leaving without

recognition of her later attempts

at reconciliation