the 5-year old girl's hands are lovingly sculpting
the turrets of the pink-shelled castle
where the prince is waltzing with the smiling princess in his arms

she is humming a ballad she heard her mother sang a couple of nights ago
her belly rumbled after a hearty lunch of peanut butter and jam sandwiches
the taste of strawberry milshake still swirling on her tongue

she hears her father calling out her name
she turns, brushes her hands on her red and gold plaid pinafore

runs straight and jumps into his familiar frame
inhales the heady mix of after shave and his neck
she allows him to carry her off