Malade - Free Audiobook

A BABY RUNNING BAREFOOT

WHEN the bare feet of the baby beat across the grass
     The little white feet nod like white flowers in the
         wind,
     They poise and run like ripples lapping across the
         water;
     And the sight of their white play among the grass
     Is like a little robin's song, winsome,
     Or as two white butterflies settle in the cup of one
         flower
     For a moment, then away with a flutter of wings.

     I long for the baby to wander hither to me
     Like a wind-shadow wandering over the water,
     So that she can stand on my knee
     With her little bare feet in my hands,
     Cool like syringa buds,
     Firm and silken like pink young peony flowers.