just now, standing in the sunshine. i heard a man shout Esmeralda . . . Esmeralda . . . shortly afterward a little girl dressed like a princess ran through my front yard waving a pink plastic wand. trailing laughter and brightly colored ribbons and bows through the afternoon sunshine. esmeralda i smiled into the open palm of my left hand. to catch the moment before it got sneaked away. i'd follow. wherever you are going.