We SHARE a moment, watching our wonderful wild child, who fills my arms, all sweaty, who sprawls across us both, spreading playground dust and grit without thought of the adult need for tidiness, offices to return to, meetings that must be attended. As I trace the line along his pale white skin, exposed by his newly SHORT hair, we marvel at how the one simple haircut, leaving him SHORN of toddler curls, has added years to his appearance. I feel the swoop and sweep of all our ages at once, layer upon layer, both stretching and collapsing time. The sweetness of the moment is abruptly ended by a wiggle and a squirm, the impatience of a child wins out over adult reflections propelling us into the future.

Georg’ann

Standing over the tub, afternoon sun at my back
Watching the water changing
from brown to clear as it circles the DRAIN
Dirty hands washed clean
Like the freshly SHORN sheep

Heather