There is a child running along a sandy beach:

There is a woman sitting at a dressing table:

her determined smile

her faraway gaze

reflects her eager, open heart.

reflected in a triptych of mirrors.

Arms waving, she races her puppy

Hands trembling, she pins a wiry curl

to an imagined finished line.

behind one ear.

Captured on a holiday snap,

Holiday over, it’s time to leave;

she grins wide for the camera.

she looks up blankly, confused.

A moment of precious joy.

A moment of wretched dismay.