artwork: ralph murre
ABUNDANCE TO SHARE WITH THE BIRDS
by
Andrea Potos
Another early morning
in front of the bathroom mirror--
my daughter making faces
at herself while I pull
back her long brown hair,
gathering the breadth and shine
in my hands, brushing
and smoothing before weaving
the braid she will wear
to school for the day.
Afterwards, stray strands
nestle in the brush, and because
nothing of beauty is ever wasted,
I pull them out,
stand on the front porch and let them
fly.
~ first published in Poetry East
