You were so little 

You had such a big backpack 

It was the first time you put it on

The first time you walked alone

The first time you got the train

I remember driving past you 

Your little cheeks pink 

You wiped away your wet tears 

Your eyes red

You wouldn’t look at us

You held your head high

Big strides 

Chin up

Down the pavement 

Never stepping on dandelions 

Because you knew 

How hard it was for them to get there 

To grow there 

But I know

–

You were so soft 

Soft Lilly white skin

Soft blue eyes

Soft heart 

But they were mean

And you made yourself 

Tough 

And bit by bit

My determined little ant 

Carried off crumbs 

Crumbs of amour

Crumbs of wisdom

Crumbs of hope

Stowing them away 

Within yourself

You built up a little watchtower 

Slow moving

That’s what they call you

Fast mind

That’s what I see

Big plans 

That’s what you see

–

When something 

Comes from nothing 

Some people call it magic

But ants aren’t magic 

Dandelions aren’t magic 

They are soft

Delicate

If you look closely 

You can see 

They are just trying 

to get out of the shadows 

They are making plans

They are going places 

They are just trying 

To follow the sun