She had dreams just
as big as yours -
of college -
fine clothes -
a useful career -
but
someone
grabbed her heart
that junior year.
A boy told her
he Loved her
and she was
foolish
enough (then)
to believe his
thinly sliced
Promises and
Kisses and
Caresses.
The upshot,
(surprise, surprise)
a baby girl
came along,
perfect in every way.
The boy, drifted away,
a small boat, unmoored.
So there was no
high school graduation
strut across the stage,
or cartwheels
with diploma in hand,
or proud parents beaming.
Home alone that
celebratory evening,
her daughter fussy
and running a fever,
bottle bubbling
on the stove,
and later, when the baby
finally fell asleep,
and
She, our dropout,
stood before the mirror
imagining a glorious
satin cap and gown,
tassel flipped to one side,
she saw herself,
standing beside a dusty road
dressed in sloppy jeans,
hard hat,
and fluorescent vest
holding a
Slow
sign
at fifteen bucks an hour
that she wished she had
heeded
way back when.
Mother and Child struggled alone—
robbed of all hope by he.
His heart built of cold and bone—
never looked back, did he.
Mother and Child had it rough—
abandoned and shunned by he.
Composed of sturdier stuff—
scrimped and found smiles, did she.
She missed his strong, loving arms—
to help and hold, did she.
Weary each day, but up to the task—
Dug deep, resilient was she.
Where has love gone? she wanted to ask—
vowed so often by he.
So competent and clever—
women make do, like she.
Her barren life imagined? never!
caused loneliness, did he.
But divorce offered no other choice—
cheerful songbird, became she.
Music and laughter arrived that day—
there was no other way.
Mother and child, good as gold, they say—
danced and flourished, did they.
Childhood Remedy
To be young and unfettered
with the burdens
and troubles
of life
is a most precious slice
of fleeting time.
The clock is ticking!
A cloud's nimbleness!
A flower's innocence!
Curiosity on fire!
The need and desire to
climb towering trees,
dive into summer lakes,
build warrior forts,
chase older brothers,
tease freckled sisters,
and giggles without cause,
are the enterprise of children.
Leave them be.
Celebrate them.
Forgive them.
Time will cure them
soon enough.
