In another life I am born in 1962
I grow up in a little house in Burt
September 1967 my mama walks me to school
I sit beside you in class that day, and all the rest after
We write poetry together during recess
We play Laura Ingalls together in your yard
Your mother makes me vareniki
Mine cooks your bacon til it's burnt
We walk to school together every day
You graduate grade 10, and 11, then 12
We marry for love and buy houses next door to each other
You have your first son when you're 26
Later, a daughter who is just like you, and in this life that means she is happy
I visit you every day, we have coffee and write our poetry
Eat our vareniki and bake our bread
If the world had been kinder, you'd have been my lifelong friend
And I could save you from all the pain that led to you being my mother