My Last String

Little arms reaching,
"up, mommy, up"
wind their way around
my heart, tugging
until the strings are tight.

Little arms reaching up,
into the cookie jar,
she plants a chocolate-chip
kiss on my cheek,
playing my strings beautifully.

Little arms reaching up
to adjust her ponytail,
she whispers her first-day fear,
straining my strings to breaking
with a single tear.

Little arms reaching up
as she tosses her cap
in the air of a graduate.
Oh, the bitter-sweet
song of these strings
as I watch her drive away.

When it is over, and
His hand reaches down
to take mine,
I hope her little arms
reach up with a final hug,
to play my last string
with love...