or surviving the plague. When the inquisitions
no one expects and the battles no one forgets
faded into other crises. Back before I was born,
and somehow everything survived.
Well, Camelot crumbled, but the next year
there rose the Civil Rights and Wilderness Acts.
Then King was dead, long live the dream,
and there was me, the nukes, and the Russkies.
But once again, mushrooms became almost
only food, not clouds.
After I made it through the Cold War and
high school simultaneously, I basked
in the sure glow of Roe v. Wade, worried more
about chip mills invading Southern softwoods
than the government marching jack boots
through my body. I mean down there.
Having children seemed like a good idea,
though the population boom needed attention.
Soon so did the climate.
Then a thunderbolt of justice hit in the time of BP—
Black President and oil spill—and I told my kids
Americans are free to love whom they love.
My 8 yr. old asked, “Is it like how blacks
and whites couldn’t use to marry?” She smiled
at my nod. “I can hardly wait to see how much
fairer the world gets when I grow up.”
Never forget, Love, it almost happened.
We have t-shirts and magnets to remind us
of cheering with Gramma, of being eager to vote.
Oh Little Human, star of my dark heart,
it once seemed simple. But now strong women
retreat to the woods from a nightmare
worse than any of your infancy. Few are sleeping well.
I know I must fight & believe & dream like those
before me, but, goddamn, it was easier to save the world
back when I was the one wearing flowered
frocks that twirled, back when I was child,
not mother. But it’s my turn, and I will.
