Apologies

 I’m sorry if I hold on too tightly

Or nursed you for too long;

One day you’ll be the tallest person in the room,

And I just wanted to keep you tiny for as

Long as I could.

Love is, Max

 Love is

Holding your little hand on a walk to the park.

Talking to you as you walk up on the curb

“I’m doing the balance beam!” You cry.

While my aging dog trails behind, limping, 

with Mr. Bean.

Oh, Lola.  Don’t leave us yet. 

Why are you gone?

I can’t

Remember

Anymore

.

Don’t Wait

Hurry! Don’t wait

To know all your beauty

Lest it run away and leave you,

Old and grey!

Lest an old man see it in you first,

And see with the eyes of Lust,

To make you into something unclean,

Unnatural, and not you!

Women, girls, hurry! Don’t wait

To know you are God’s special creature,

Loved and perfect.

Lest the World take you for something

You are not,

And force you, through ungodly pressure

To stay there.

Hurry! Don’t wait!

For uncles or fathers or brothers to misrepresent you

Fail to defend and protect you,

To leave you to the wolves and grime

Of society.

Women! Girls!  

Speak up now!

Hurry! Don’t wait!

Erika

Vovi

 Grandma Mariana,

You were right about everything.