How Much Backbone I Have... Poem by Margaret Alice

I don’t care about the fire you’ve made tonight
because it is clear I should not be here, but
somewhere else, because where YOU are
things ought to be right, suitcases ought to
be light, I should strive with all my might
to infuse some of your good sense into my
little girl, and as with you and Ben, I should
know just when to call myself to a halt!
Young girls should be like me at age
thirty-three; packing only three pairs
of slacks, three T-shirts – no make-up,
maybe one lipstick – for two weeks
1 000 km from home – now THAT
would really show - how much
backbone I have!