A roller skating rink is the venue for this heralded day of her Birth Day Celebration. Balloons, streamers, cake and presents, and always an ex to bide, pleasantness demands a smile. Being late as always, I find I�m on time, happy glittering smiles greet me in skates itching for their favourite song. I hear them talk on the sidelines, while I help with their laces. They open up easily to me, drawn to my status of being the birthday girl�s mama. She looks so beautiful, my heart becomes a warm ember that affections my face with her glow. As I forget where I am, I naturally kiss her and cuddle her, but this time she pulls away. I receive a glare with a blush. I have embarrassed and smothered her I know, but I miss her to the point of over adoration. She is my beautiful treasure, my angel. I wish to wallow in our love freely, especially on this her 12th Birthday. I sense her hidden sigh. Leaving me with a pout, she returns to her giggling friends, turning briefly to reassure herself of our cord, and senses my own veiled sigh, as I struggle with a moment lost. Leaving me with a tilted ever so slightly saddened smile, she runs headlong jumping into the gang, princess of the day, yet self conscious to the core. My eyes are moist as her attentive guests look on; they know this scenario all too well. I realise they are her, different, but somehow the same. I miss her sister who didn�t come for the day. She spent the night at Auntie Lees house, church and all. Hallelujah, I imagine the honourable Princess is singing silently with relief. Gliding around the roller rink in tense freedom to a swift beat, they are cute, some rhythmic, but all beautiful as they dance liberated on this, an opportune stage for play. I watch my daughter hold hands with her friends, laugh, pose, dance, show off, play the clown, I am hypnotised and in wonder. Suddenly, a string somehow breaks inside me. But it�s ok, I know it�s just her letting go. I hope she finds herself to be her own best friend because if I am not, who will she cling to now? I�ll never stop reminding her of her promise to kiss me till we grow old. Sweet ripening buds Balancing with gangly arms Waving away girlhood |
| HAIBUN ~ Girlhood Roll |
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