Green

I have greased the slide with waxed paper
so she can slide
down a green-painted slide in the park.

She climbs green stairs.
New leaves green the air above her.
I hold arms out.

She descends in a morning light
that puts a sheen
like a halo on her glistening curls.

She hesitates but for an instant
and then begins.
I catch her
at the bottom of the slide
and she laughs out loud.

It’s a first!
She’s so incredibly young
and, dear God, how proud!