how long has it been
since a girl took my hand like that
has it ever happened before
it felt familiar
but I can’t remember . . .
walking to a dance at the lake
when I was 10?
I must have dreamed it
it feels so familiar
this time
50 more years have run by
girl is a strong woman
and the innocence of her taking my hand
now
walking down off the trail, onto road
lifts me softly up to the time
when all my power was hope and vision
awes me to feel my own innocence
still alive inside
flowing outwards
to be captured quietly
and brought back to what was once
so holy in me