I am the woman grown from young girl grown from women who tucked their dreams away in the folds of their clothes, and cried, or didn’t, over what could have been.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from seeds that were planted in Russia and Poland.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from family who went down into the earth and died there.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from family who brought sustenance then health to the neighborhood.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from Grams who died with her dreams unlived, her words unwritten.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from strong hands, love filled hugs, sturdiness.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from a woman who never drove yet lived to see 95.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from a small start who keeps growing and growing and growing.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from love and light, compassion and understanding, a tender heart.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from a belief that we had it all and it was never enough and money could cloak feelings that were too hard to see.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from a mama so loving, compassionate and quietly fierce.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from a deep desire to be one with the world and a deep allergy that made the connecting painful.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from days and days and days of tears, of first loss, of heartache, soulache, deeper than any explanation.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from books and books filled with poetry of dying wishes, of anger, of rage – of misunderstanding and of being misunderstood.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from a desire to feel part of this world, yet always on the edges.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from plans cancelled last minute, never invited, on the periphery of truly being friends.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from pages and pages of stories, adventures, and lifetimes of knowledge.
I am the woman grown from young girl grown from…
