Stephanie

I thought I raised you wrong
I tried so hard
but everything is wrong
so wrong we couldn't even have a conversation

I took you to see Hair when you were 10
free love and flowers
boys covered in loin cloth
not the Hair I remembered of 30 years ago

I took you to see Spring Awakening when you were 14
yet another struggle of love and tradition
but they have to make love naked and real
and I covered my face in shame and guilt

you were such a child of delicate beauty
people stumbled on street when they saw your bootee
but you make out way too early
like a Lily in a cold frosty morning

both love and tradition failed you
you dropped out in solitude
every word I utter
was fought back with a dagger

then you come of age at 18
you went to CCAC
with a life record of Es and Fs
you got your first A in criminal justice

we went to TGI Friday
celebrating with stake and salmon
you shared your union ring with me
and we had a conversation