Your laughter rings through the halls of academe

bouncing off the benchtops,

rattling the racks of tubes

lifting my heart.

I marvel at you leaping around, reckless, cheerfully abandoned.

You make me repeat my words

over and over and over...

your precious mind incapable of boredom.

Years later I may see you--

I will foolishly recount

our conversations, searching eagerly

for a flicker of remembrance

seeing only your laughing three-year-old face amidst your composed features.

You will smile, shyly, patiently,

not remembering, but still you will smile

out of kindness for this fond, wistful stranger

for already I can tell there is great kindness in you

little one.

#achildslaughter