OTHER night I was giggin'
at this bog-Irish tavern
and I was staring out
at this adorable little girl
who must have been 8 or 9
and she had on this little dress
with yellow flowers
and her straight brown hair
enhanced her innocent smile
and I marveled
at the magic of children
until I saw
that she was talking
on a cell phone.

*Honorable mention, asinine poetry literary contest, fall 2002