My Girls

I try not to be too controlling 

because I know that I could be

I try not to give you too many hugs

knowing you're a lot like me

 

I see you with your make up

putting on the ritz

and one of you is keen to know 

how to do the splits

 

I've tried to avoid calling you pretty 

knowing there's much more than that as you grow

but

you spend more on make up and hair

than I do 

hair masking, make up facing

preparing for? who?

for a lot more through life

masking pain, things that might not show 

till much much later

when you know

more,

like I do

knowing more than you know, bout this life and its

pains and woes 

and beauties too

 

before your brothers came along it was only you and me

it seems like such a long time ago

one of you was only barely three

and before that, little Greta

who once put a pea 

up her nose 

in between her painting sprees

 

those brothers take up so much space

so much energy

you're lucky that way

cuz I meddle you less

them more

but maybe I don't know

who you're dressing for

make up-ing for

hiding for

 

spring flowers will always make me think of you

beautiful pink branches, warmth coming out anew

and brave chasing the wind and touching the sky

and the rosedale hotel

the giggles, the sweets, the space that we tried and pried

 

we have it in new ways, but maybe not enough

I know being a teen can be so very tough

 

but just cuz I don't tell you

you're so very pretty

so pretty enough, tough enough, smart enough

and someday you'll know--and you'll know--but still, it'll come and go

if I'm doing this thing right

but you'll know

 

ps thanks, a ton

you've barely given me any wrinkles or any grey hairs, maybe cause we have our unspoken female bond

I feel so lucky, we don't fight (yet?)

(maybe we should?)

but you tell me that I'm "aging gracefully" so I'll let you be

--you be you--

and always no matter what

a part of me