i feel heavy
   and old.
i feel
right
aligned.

young ones
make me
laugh
and smile
with their
antics
their
innocence
their curiosity

but i quickly
grow grim
because i know
someday
they will be
like me.

right aligned.
attuned to the desperate
march of the masses
full of hope
and then
withered to
dust

try to be independent
girls
get your education
girls
and your loans
girls
get married
girls
get divorced
girls
get a job
girls
get laid off
girls
lose your health insurance
girls
try to hold your head high
girls
try not to cry
girls
don't run out of gas
girls
learn to put air in your tires
girls
get used to silence
girls
get used to disappointment
girls
learn to command your voice
girls

don't look back
girls.