She was a dolphin in the water,
a bird on the swings
she was a librarian, spy, and
all sorts of things.
The house was her office
the yard was her sky
with bikes and skates
and ropes to tie

and even then her words were strong
the names animals received
a language only she knew
clues only she perceived.

She could be a mighty princess
without brushing her hair
and she was a different animal
every day, a tiger or bear.
as she went to school
made friends and with her voice
she sang and leapt in silence
for happiness is a choice.

a little girl used to live here
but she's gone now, dead
she'd disappeared for always
only I am here instead
The pictures there can show
the days before time came
and took her out of me
never to be the same.
I miss her dearly now,
such things I have to say
she'd understand the little bits
of her I have today.
And still my only wish
is to be with her again
for she gives me all myself
as the girl she was then