One Child's Gift, Given To Her Other Poem by James McLain

Though they be as bright as you stars are
and the cuts on my feet are worth the price
future king and queen green grass a glen.
My gift today my daughter, saw it naught.
Today the sun was hotter than it's ever been
and still the breeze and hot the glaring sand
I poured more water fast, 'I carried from the sea,
too quench the heat.
It is that twice a year when all that lives and breaths
is left exposed to feed the void of years,
forgetting to retreat but left because the grass is
thick and green.
Too dip my hand therein the cool wet sand, relief.
and in my palm an octopus smaller than a pea
with all it's limbs.
My niece of ten lit up a smile to rival the hot sun
from where it is,
I'm spent and burned a hollow shell today.
My daughters gift I gave to her, how would she know.