I met a little girl yesterday

of nine years

drawing on paper scraps

drawing pictures of frowning faces

buildings without windows

cars without wheels

child holding hands with a mother

"Where is Daddy's hand?" I asked.

"There are no daddies!"

She drew a picture of a school

low flat building

windowless

no doors

peopleless

"Where are the children?" I asked.

"I only draw pictures of my friends!"

She drew a picture of her pet, a cat named Spook

long legged

"He is very fast"

sharp teeth

"He sometimes has to catch his dinner"

large claws

"He scratches when you pick him up"

"Does he love you?" I asked

"He doesn't know how!"

"You have pretty hair. Does your mother fix it for you?"

"I will be pretty when I learn to wash my own clothes!"

She stepped back

looked at me carefully

and began to draw

I have her drawing

a stick figure

which charms and lightens me

when

alone

I consider

its smiling face