lessons from my father

Snow swirled, and the wind howled like the lonely wolf.

A young girl, awoken from a trance alone in the dark

A shadow moves through the hall, and down the stairs 

She followed, her feet chilled from the icy floors.

Illuminated by the blinding light, she saw a familiar figure,

Skittering softly, sneakily, wrapping her arms around his strong legs.

Startled, he turns to see the small sleepy-eyed girl with the impish smile.

"Where you going, Daddy?" She inquired, concern playing at the edges of her voice.

He picked her up, and held her tight enveloping her in his scent, 

Old Spice, and wood smoke.

He took her to the window, their breath fogging up the glass.

Small hands wiped away the condensation, tiny nose pressed up against the glass,

Outside the snow fell rapidly covering the sets of little footprints left earlier that day.

Quietly he whispered in her ear, "There are people that need my help, so I have to leave."

The corners of her mouth pulled down into a frown, her arms crossed in frustration.

"But, I need you more." the little one stubbornly said her arms clinging tightly to his.

The next thing he said she knew to let go, for she realized her dad was a superhero.

Well, now the little one is grown up and learning to live in a world all new.

Ever since that night that the wind blew cold, and the snow fell hard,

She knows to always help others in need, no matter how big, or small the gesture.

For a little kindness and hard work goes a long way in this crazy, unpredictable world.