Before I was with you
I was with God

My child said this to me
At four.
Other children
At four
Have said this to their mothers.

It is true:

Spirits travel.
Children know and remember,
And they try to tell us

When they chase butterflies
Follow turtles into the cool dark,
Roll down hills, twirl in the grass,
Fall down laughing in the sunshine.

So do I

Though I know nothing
Of God.

I know the butterflies,
Turtles, grass, and sunshine.

I know laughter.

It is the thread running
Through this needle
We call life.

My loose running stitches
Are sloppy.

I know it.

Right now these stitches are my best work.
They fasten me to this world
And to you

Loosely.

I know it.

What can I say.

I am not sorry.

I am laughing in the sunshine.

Be with me

And let it be.