I am down on all fours on a paved path
just beyond the Benton County Fairgrounds.
Who knew how dizzy a dad can get?
I have a picture of Maggie as a little girl
riding in a kiddie car. She is slowly going
around and around. She is smiling the smile
I was always afraid
concealed her disappointment.
But we are older now,
and we’ve just been on the Tilt-a-Whirl,
and everything is spinning.
Please . . . no . . .
I tell the deputy sheriff. I’m OK.
As if that long, smooth path
were the only way
I’d ever make it home.