daddy’s girl
loving eyes, happy smile
ruling from the protective shadow
of the first knight
his armor
how it shines in the sun
as only a child can see
the hands strong, sweaty
moving slowly as a spider
across young skin
confusion, shame, uncertainty
as frenzied workings become obvious
the hands squeezing tender limbs
lashes tremble, a little mouth
works to voice the newness of pain
the armor darkens cruelly
as the knight falls in earnest
to the sound of a little girl’s sobs
which echo now in an older mind
bitter anger, shame, pain
collide with cynical laughter
following the sliding glance
which accompanies the whispered promise
‘survival’
clouds roll across the distant moon