Each trail we walk in Florida is accompanied by
a little girl with a smiley face
who finds happiness in everything about nature
from the tall, tall trees
to the small, small bees.
Yelling This is a Juniper! This is a manatee!

She enjoys the many
chills from the blasts 
of wind, whistling 
through the sawgrass,
the feel of being in nature –
overwhelming
in a good way. 

This little girl particularly enjoys this trail in Everglades National Park
very much. Happily singing
Bazinga! Bazinga! I’m on the Anhinga!
On this trail, she can name all
the animals:
birds, turtles, crocs
and the plants:
Yuccas and Junipers galore  
which she sees, observes,
quite like a hawk.

She says One day, far from now,
I will travel to all the parks in the world, for it is only then I will
grow.

This happy little girl…
She is me.