Soccer Girl

She limped into the house
Scabby knee
Angry frown
Complaining about her homework.

She was a new daughter
Fast and furious
Too young for coffee in the morning
Rooting for the wrong team.

The bruises on my arm
stood as garish reminders
of the strength of her grip.

She stormed through life
like a tornado
Whirling and spinning
Until her subjects
knelt in obedience
to her will.

I wanted to run away
until she approached
and with a hug
and an “I love you, PaPa”
melted my resolve
and quieted my fears

I love watching football
with a soccer girl
Who is stronger than I am.