It's What Women Do

January 18, 2013 Small Stone #14

Remember when I was 13? she asked.

It's etched in my flesh with an exacto knife, I replied.

I'm sorry, she said, I thought you hated me, I really did.

We made it through, I mused.

we always did,
we always do,
we always will…
make it through,
it's what we do…

day after day
a way 
out of
no
way

Last night she said, 
I miss being 17
and
I miss high school
and
I miss the stupid boy friends
and
I miss the hard times,
because they were better than 
the sad times I have now
and
I miss crying for no reason, 
because lately… 
I have real reasons to cry.

I said,
Chin up buttercup…
we always make it through,
it's simply what women do...