Smiles of Sunshine

She sat on the grainy wood
That smelled like that time we spilled vanilla on the floorboards
Because her black hair curled at the tips
My mouth curled up when I saw her.
I was mixing a cookie batter on the stove
Oatmeal, just for her
On the long flat counter covered in soft flour.
"I want to be useful"
She said, turning to me with that most hopeful look on her face
I could tell she meant it
She had seen the newspaper headlines screaming at her that she needed to do something 
I rushed over, filling a spoon with chocolate chips as I went
Handing them to her, I stroked my rough hand over her midnight bunny hair
Pressing a chocolate into her hand, I whisper
You are useful, bunny rabbit
Because you make me happy
You shine just like the golden warmth of afternoon
And if you keep smiling
The world will improve more than it could if you fought until your breath gave out
She smiles one of those sunshine smiles at me
And we sat there on the vanilla smelling steps,
Love shimmering in the air.