What is that I hear
Something different, unfamiliar and yet familiar
Not metal against metal
Up there where the Blacksmith Shop stood

But a strange almost human sound
Comes from that direction
The dirt embankment is too steep
For me to know from this perspective

I see two little dark-haired silhouettes
Woggling, jumping to and fro
Up and down
And joyfulness coming from them.

Now there are more heads
I count three more
I wish them closer
That I may know if

They are the same
As the little ones
who played
around me

They have been absent
For lonely decades
My joy
Had washed away

The familiar laughter
Giggling
Tumbling
Grows nearer

Could it be
They are back
To play
Jump and slide

These little ones
Are different
But resemble
The others

These are filled with energy
Filled with daring
Care not
If I'm too slippery

They will try anyway
To jump onto me
Care not
If I can't hold them

They will giggle and cheer
each other on to stand strong
Against the current which washes
Over me, over them

I hear the familiar splash
I am no longer
Able to hold them
I'm too slippery

They are back
Once again
Standing strong
So proud

I wonder if
These are the same
Silhouettes crossing
The storm-torn night lawn

The Blacksmith Shop
Shattered
A tree slammed down
Onto their house

I could only see
Through dark muddy
Raging waters
Thundering water, sky

I wonder do I
Help them forget
Help them heal
From their dark terrors