I was born a coal miner's daughter...

small town, Canada
with skates on my feet & a knowledge that
this island
aint big enough
for me...and
i
was a great skater, even whooped those bully boys in hockey -
same ones that picked me last 'cause I was "a girl"
same ones that bought me cocoa afterwards...
i
was a majorette; baton twirling fanatic
balancing fire and swords in a stiffened march that won me awards ...ahhh,
i remember those days! but...
i
was a tomboy at heart.
...could outrun them all; big, tall, small...quick
ha! I still hear Bruce Campbell gettin sick
tryin to keep up.
i
had a crush on him.
my first.
i
would brush up against his elbow in art class &
leave a dash of color from my fingerpaints; bold
i chose. He would look confused and then blush
(probably not because he liked me too but,
more because
he didn't know how to control his raging hormones)
and I'd blush back
(knowing the truth)
i...
have a brother. younger.
He would drive me to say the word hate sometimes,
now I just hate that we
are apart.
He has aids...I mourn his abused life.
i...
reluctantly say I have three sisters
we hardly speak, though,
I love them anyway &
for my neices and nephews I pray
they survive.
my mother...

my mother...
I...

don't know what to say.
She is loved
in a curious way.
Best when afar.
i...
miss my Daddy.
Cancer stole him fast
years ago
tho
I still
cry
hotly.
i...

love Shakepeare
and daisies...
~A~