Homage to Anne Sexton’s “Her Kind” I’ve waded in mud A solitary child _______hid in holed-out hollows _______dug for basis and belief I’ve shredded a sister’s dove-colored organdy dream _______while mothering my mother _______guardian__guarded___guard A girl like that lacks lightness _________________ I’ve been her kind I’ve twice plunged into motherhood’s indigo water _______blinded by its beauty _______unwillingly shared its treasure I’ve foraged in foreign forests _______sparrow in a peacock coat _______spare__spent__spiraling A woman like that tries too hard _________________________I’ve been her kind I’ve long-time trekked the road to Ithaca _______towed children _______forged silver _______served__studied__sanctioned The way has gentled over time like my aging body Now caring accompanies me _______passion pursues _______joy skips along-side A woman like that travels with her tribe ___________________________________I’ve been her kind