Dandelion Girl

You grew up

on the side of the road,

between sidewalk cracks,

in backyards full of

tall bahia grass,

pushing aside their

stems so you could

find the sky.

You grew up

beneath the sun

and out in the rain

and under every

booming thunderstorm

an Alabama summer

could throw your way.

Dogs ran through you.

Men, too, trampled you

but you sprung back up,

rumpled, but still bright,

unbowing, even when

they said you were just

a gangly **** that no

one would find beautiful.

(I found you beautiful,

because your face was

the sun, and I find it

everywhere.)

You grew up.

You had to grow up,

grew white and fragile

and one day the wind

came for you and

carried you away.

Fly far.

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