Adolescence

Today seems to remind me that I am never fully grown, even as I have the fantasy that some morning I will wake up... and it will have happened overnight.

Adolescent birds are everywhere today.

The fledgling robin learns about worms

On the front lawn.

My daughter passed a mother goose

With two gawky almost full grown

Teenage geese.

They were learning

To eat grass.

The mother hissed as my daughter rode past

On her bike.

Today the piercing shop was not open

At 10,

Like it said it would be.

My daughter,

Her friend

And I

Stared at the pictures

Of possible piercing opportunities.

We will return to the store at 3

After I have made yet one more change

To my fifty-seven year old

Itinerary.

I am still on the learning curve

Of worms and grass,

Even piercings.

Alternately I hiss and let go.

I am a parent

I am parented.

I am gangly and solid

All at once.

I still like to imagine

Some day

I will be all grown up.