She's turning seventeen
still sweet
(and pure)
with a fire in her
that nobody will ever
be able to extinguish.
So much of her daily routine
use to revolve around me.
From her tiny little hands
waiting patiently
while I pour her
a bowl of Apple Jacks
to her tiny little toes
trying to wriggle free as I
work her black patent leather
dress shoe over her ruffley pink footies.
Now, she's a young woman
who really only needs me
if she chooses to.
I think she tries to need me
(for my sake) .
From her hands
now the same size as my own
frying us both an omelette
yet asking me for help
flipping it over
(as if she can't do it)
to her feet that
have passed my own size
yet still wait to be tucked in
each night by me.
I watch her
as she leaves for school today
with her long, blonde hair
ironed pin-straight to reach
well past the middle of her back.
She tosses on her favorite jeans
with the low-rise waist
(that always insist on needing
a tug every few minutes to stay up
where they belong)
and her way-too-favorite t-shirt
that cheers for the boy's football team on the front
and has her name on the back
in large, proud letters:
CHELSEY
She won't leave
without her kiss/hug goodbye.
(I love that about her) .
As cool as she is...
she's not embarrassed
to call me from school and say
''I love you Mom''
each time before she hangs up
while I hear the guys in the background
mimicking her ''Yeah, I love you too mom! ''
She doesn't care
she just punches them hard in the arm
and tells them to buzz off!
I laugh as I hear them groan
from the solid hit.
That's my girl!
Mary Nagy
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-know-she-ll-be-alright-for-chelsey-s-17th-birt/
