Courage, my daughter –
your heart holds
the give and take
of this world.
Like breath, take
what supports
you, give away
what does not.
You are strong
enough to stand
straight up for
who you are –
the awesome
truth of you.
Words fall silent;
actions are stilled –
time cannot measure
love that fills the space
between souls,
between worlds.
Memories gather
as rose petals
to guide our way
toward mercy that
forgives forever
the human be-ing.
Courage, my daughter
is what you have –
a river so deep
and swift it carries
hope aloft for
everyone to see.
For my daughter,
Happy, on her birthday.