inside
the bubble
no one
will ever hurt her
hold
hold
hold
her there
in that smile
life
will
burst
soon
Tag Archives: growing up
Weekly Photo Challenge: Selfie/She’s Always With Me
she’s always
with me
the little girl
that no one sees
she was never
enough, still
trying to
catch up
I look away,
but I know
she’s there,
whispering
my alone
reminding me
following
me
home
We Were So 19
We were so 19
that the world didn’t care if we slept
half the day, went to coffee with the professor
instead of class, and began the evening
just before midnight. The usual crowd
could be counted on to greet us warmly,
as we scrambled off the city sidewalks
swallowed by our college life. Beer, and
conversation, and the same familiar songs,
and we hugged and laughed and knew
19 would always be. But it’s not.
Someone else is borrowing 19 now.
Frozen in the Moment
I keep them frozen in the moment of joy,
soaring through southern summer heat
with squeals and laughter that only linger
in tender youth. Their toes point like dancers,
hands reach skyward – up, up, up –
it’s all out there for them to seize,
a sky of possibilities, where each will find
her own blue, create her clouds.
Time may move, but I keep them here, safe,
in this place, where their summer days at the lake
pass gently, with joy and promise. As long as I
hold them here, in a golden frame,
they shall never be swallowed up
by the dark, cold waters beneath them.
Sitting Pretty
Sitting pretty in her rocking
chair. Mommy’s pearls draped around
her neck. Bright pink lipstick traces a crooked
oval near her mouth.
Its broken pieces placed
carefully on her pink
dresser. She crosses her lacy socked
feet at the ankles, kicks them out
and in to make her chair
rock. A little giggle escapes each time the pearls fly
out from her dress. She’s not yet heard she’s not
pretty enough or too
short, or her clothes are
plain or teeth crooked or she
weighs too much. Nothing yet to chip
away at the giggles. Keep her here in this pink
room, with Mommy’s pearls, sitting
pretty in her rocking
chair, as long as you can.
Talking to the Clouds 