"Touching"

a blithe sprite walked through my doorway
and sprinkled happiness and joy
on everything she touched
that I was near

...and I was drawn to reach out,
to touch this young girl
with only the fingertips
of one hand to glide across her silhouette

...I was even drawn
to her shadow
and watched it glide
with her across the floor

...my heart lurched
with every movement
but my body was froze
in one spot...

I feared one touch
might damage her in some way
as she felt her way
around my world

...so I just watched
in wonderment
as the days
brought her change

...and now she is a woman and me
...well I've grown old
...and still I have not touched her
anywhere but on the inside.