she believes
she is an old soul
in comfy pants and tennis shoes
with a belly laugh
that cracks my illusion she
is too serious too soon
faithful to homework and deadlines
working among forgotten dishes
and clothes strewn on the floor
more mother than sister
until he pushes her buttons…
or they conspire to push ours
baking scones and cookies
while listening to Mary J Blige
and ABBA
tries to convince her grandma
that coloring her hair isn’t necessary
yet transformed one Sunday morning
with a swipe of my mascara
snuggles next to me on the couch
each morning
then goes to make her own plans for school
and weekends and projects
considering Culver,
leaving us so young
with orange monkey still slung
around her neck
mystery
marvel
independent
yet not yet
gift
ever present
yet almost gone
writing the journey 