A Daughter Who Leaves

A woman weaves her daughter’s wedding slippers
that will carry her steps into a new life.
The mother weeps alone into her jeweled sewing box,
slips red thread around its spool,
the same she used to stitch
her daughter’s first silk jacket
embroidered with turtles
that would bring luck, long life.
She remembers all the steps
taken by her daughter’s
unbound quick feet:
dancing on the stones
of the yard among yellow
butterflies and white breasted sparrows.
And she grew, legs strong
body long,
mind independent.
Now she captures all eyes
with her hair combed smooth
and her hips gently swaying like bamboo.
The woman spins her thread
from the spool of her heart,
knotted to her daughter’s
departing wedding slippers.

The Necklace of Love

No rubies of red for my lady —
No jewel that glitters and charms,
But the light of the skies in a little one’s eyes,
And a necklace of two little arms.

Of the two little arms that are clinging,
Oh, ne’er was a necklace like this!
And the wealth of the world and Love’s sweetness impearled,
In the joy of a little one’s kiss.

A necklace of love for my lady,
That was linked by the angels above;
No other but this — and the tender, sweet kiss,
That stealeth a little one’s love.

My Dad

Ever since I was little you were right by my side.
Even though it may not always have been the right decision you were always along for the ride.
I never realized how important you were to me until I left home.
Now my eyes light up every time that you call my phone.

You and mom were so young when I came.
I can’t even imagine how things must have changed.
You weren’t like other young dads who get up and walk out.
You stayed by our side without a doubt.

I am so much like you in everything that you do.
I have always been like that even as a little girl too.
I remember getting up early and going to work with you all day.
No matter how boring it was with you I would stay.

It sucks that it took moving out to see how much you meant to me.
It’s amazing how much it made me open my eyes and see.
If anything ever happened to you I don’t know what I would do.
How I truly feel is one thing I have never told you.

All little kids have that one person they look up to.
That one person that can do no wrong no matter what they do.
You are my hero and you always have been.
Not only are you my dad but my best friend.




A Family Is


A family is a group of people.
It can be a group or a couple.
A family is where,
People care.

They share a love for each other.
They don’t have to be a biological brother.
They offer support and encouragement too.
In facing life and all you do.

You can be sure when times are hard,
They will show up and be a safeguard.
And when times are good,
They share and laugh as they should.


Without family the world can be a lonely place,
With no one to love or to embrace.
These relationships you should cherish,
Your life they will enrich.





One of the most heartfelt feelings is,
Putting your family first.
It doesn’t require a scholar or math whiz,
To recognize one suffering from thirst.
Whether it be for liquid or love,
My parents put family first with education.
Taught about respect and God above,
About land and its preservation.
And about family and friends,
Sharing the present and the past,
Making family number oast and last!

#family
#daughters
#thenecklace