A Child's Joy

A Child's Joy

I'm not trying to listen,
but I left my window open again,
so I end up hearing it all.
My neighbors are outside,
the two young girls, Mom, and Dad,
playing a game of badminton
on an otherwise quiet summer evening.
The high-pitched sounds
of laughter and happy screams
float in through my window.
The shouts of the younger girl
over-power anything the others
might be saying to each other.
I can just imagine the look
of joy in the eyes that,
just a few weeks ago,
had looked so sad
as she told me that Daddy
was often to busy with work
to spend time with her.

Their laughter fills my chest
making it hard  for me to breathe.
I want to go over there
and join in the fun,
remember what it's like
to celebrate something
as simple as hitting a birdie
over a net for the first time
and the young girl's
screaming celebration of
"I did it, I did it!
Daddy, I hit it over the net!"

-Ceilidh

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