During the summer

I live in my swimsuit

I lay by the lake, wish on each flying fish that passes

I sweat out the stress that built up from the previous year

I walk through waterfall curtains, dancing like a native Cheyenne

I pray to leaves that things will go okay, and that they'll embrace me when they don't

But as October comes

The leaves leave, the curtains close

The stress swells, the fish flee

 I replace my suit with a sweater

And prepare for winter

She carried me in her sun tanned arms from long hours in her garden

Our eyes identical in color

Her curiosity and wild spirit I inherited that has left me with scares

But as well as her healing power

Her Elizabeth Arden perfume lingered on my clothes

Long brown hair, red painted toes

Mother, Mother

i love you always