the blue silk strand of ribbon
attached by a small gold pin
to the little girl's pillowslip
served as comfort through the night
when solitude slipped in

a gift of smooth soft solace
after her parents kissed her goodnight
then closed the door, to depart from her side
when all her prayers were said

she stroked it, feeling satin
and dreamed of future gowns to dance in
marshes of pussywillows and catkins
clouds of softspun tissue
to float lightly through to new lands

even through her teen years
coming in from thrills and heart's jeers
she'd gain her bedtime soothing that familiar way
from the feel of her faithful ribbon's frays

years later, she would hide it where
no-one else would notice, but the pinned pal
would still be there
always beneath her pillow
beneath her golden hair

07/14/2000