Countdown

One morning,

I drew a hopscotch design

on the floor in my room.

I was alone,

I could make up my own rules

so each square

was going to be another day

away from you.

Two or three times in a row

- my feet can be clumsy, I know-

I stepped on the thin line

and I would also hop

the wrong square now and then

to challenge the odds

and increase the speed of time.

The game may be useless

and I’m no longer a child

but turning around

would regain me balance

and restore an innocence smile.