Wish I had a photo
you setting off that day
trying to look grown–up
not succeeding
not knowing
Wish I’d kept a record
of what those women said
their kindness
to that girl in a school gym
thick school socks, no coat
Wish you’d said yes,
you’re right I’m not 15
when they saw
you were so dumb
you knew everything
Wish I could tell you
in spite of tangled wools
bobbins of twisted threads
tears you frown away
it won’t turn out so bad.
not so bad at all.
Renée
