I take little liberties
with my writing
I say that I'm snowed in
really it's just snow-
ing
I say I'm in love again
really I'm only
dating
I say there were books
The Night She Died
really it was yellow
lamplight, yellow
skin, emaciated
going home
to see her dad again
I take little liberties
in writing
my life's story
so when I tell my
grandkids
all about the life their
grandma led
I can say
truly
poetry brought me clarity,
poetry fixed my memories,
poetry brought
the one that got away
back to me
then let him
run away
a scared little boy,
not a man
again
poetry
(and cooking probably)
made your grandad
a happy man
falling all over me
and all my little liberties
have made my life
more liveable
little liberties
build my story better
they give me
a life
I want to tell