Polygons & Jane Goodall

Far away
from bombs and broken hearts
we walk in sunshine
shoes plodding on concrete
hand in hand
She talks of polygons and Jane Goodall
Polygons are easy
and animals can do crazy things

She knows the news
She’s heard of war
She’s heard the air turn blue 
with the names of despots and dolts

But she can still swing 
in our front yard
do tricks on the rope
dirty knees and scratched fingers

And her face lights up when I know Goodall’s name

Ice cream with her best friend
digging through vernal pools for tiger beetles
she’s messy and sunny
and everything that springs anew

And she’s ready for her turn.