I saw her running through the field

A yellow dandelion in one hand

The stem wilted, flower hanging

The other hand, reached to the sky

Brunette curls bouncing in the wind

Pink bow far behind her

Laying in the dirt in front the first step

Her porch is where she waits

Crying out into the sky

Hand outstretched still

She calls out, “Daddy!”

Over and over

And in that hand, stretched out high,

Lay the letter he sent home

Two months ago

Then she fell into the flowers

As the aircraft flew past her view,

Reopened the letter

“I’m on my way home

Tomorrow, after we win.

Baby girl, I love you.”

Then shoved the wilted dandelion

Inside the envelope

And resealed it with a tear