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 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 family love so strong I could sense it but never be of it, in it, in his deep hugs until they were gone.

 

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 mama so loving, compassionate and quietly fierce.

 

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 a woman who knows finding herself is a lifelong journey.

 

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 plans cancelled last minute, never invited, on the periphery of truly being friends.

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 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 a desire to feel part of this world, yet always on the edges.

 

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…