Nana

you were 6

i hugged you as we twirled
from kitchen to porch your chubby cheek pressed against mine
we whirled down the steps
across the lawn
the man in the moon grinned
& sprinkled us with pixie dust
i thought you'd ignite
in colored flames
like a catherine wheel
on the day of the dead

then the sparrows sang
& the man in the moon
closed his eyes & i sobbed
till my larynx almost burst
& my heart escaped
& vanished
into the cresting light
in the east