quite by surprise
                                                        my daughter asks me
                                                        if I'd like to be a woman
                                                               the gravity in the moment
                                                               I took to answer 



                                                        I keep it ambiguous
                                                        knowing full well
                                                        a defined reason
                                                        for feeling down
                                                        can be dismissed 

 

                                                        the envelope to me
                                                        sealed carefully with tape
                                                        on every seam
                                                        when opened, reveals
                                                        absolutely nothing

 

                                                        so intent with feeling
                                                        that her warm greeting
                                                        to someone just beyond me
                                                        gave me a moment so sure
                                                        she was greeting me

 

                                                        deep in the night
                                                        letting the phone ring
                                                        and ring...
                                                        then for a long time
                                                        wondering who?

 

                                                        my youth spent
                                                        gathering strength and solace
                                                        of friends near and far–
                                                        these short years later
                                                        losing them one by one