A Child’s Quarantine

May 2020
Two and a half years old and quarantined
In a few days she forgets daycare teachers and friends.

Life changes, mostly its good.
Mama and Daddy are always home with her,
but sometimes there are meetings and calls for work.
They take turns taking her on adventures every day.

Parks and playgrounds where she once climbed and soared
CLOSED--she knows the word but not the why.
Instead of time at a playground there are long walks and hikes.
 
Running and stopping to examine sticks, bugs, flowers,
her brown, wavy hair flutters in her face.
She blows dandelion fluff, watching the seeds fly away, sparkling in the sun.
Learns right from left, to stop at every street, to look both ways.

Discovers streams, creeks, nature centers.
Awed brown eyes watch turtles, fish, snakes, and ducks.
No matter the weather she ends up in the water. 
Happiness washes over her as she kicks and splashes delightfully soaked.
 
Uncovers the pleasure of throwing small stones and big rocks 
into the water, watching where they land and plop.
Excited anew at each splatter and spray.
Her circle widens.

Aunt Hadley arrives from New York City.
Teaches her to balance on her scooter, giggling she tumbles into the curb to stop.
Helps make coffee--smells good, tastes yucky.
Learns to crack eggs, tastes the pancake batter with her finger.

Her first Easter Egg Hunt—the only hunter, shouting, 
“I found another egg” “I found them all.”
Her circle widens again.
Gma and Pops now come to her house, but only if they wear masks.

She takes them for walks. 
Chattering, guides them to the fire station and into the woods.
Shows them where to turn, uphill or down, counts dogs, cats, squirrels.
Pops stops to smell tulips, iris, and roses, now she does too.

Mama and Daddy order a playground for the backyard.
It takes a long time to arrive, a whole day to build.
Penelope says, “my playground will always be open”.