To My Grown-Up Daughter Poem by Toni Atchison

I wish you hadn't grown up just yet.
Things were so much easier
when I could fight your dragons for you,
and you thought I was the smartest mom
in the whole wide world.
Back then, I could kiss away the hurt,
create the Tickle Monster to chase the blues,
and I understood your homework.
But you're a woman now,
grown up with a job of your own.
All I can do now is offer advice-
and hope you don't roll your eyes,
or give me that look.
You don't think I'm the smartest mom
in the whole wide world anymore.
Damn, I wish you hadn't grown up yet.

11-30-06