Naomi Long Madgett: Offspring

Naomi Long Madgett

Offspring

I tried to tell her: 

      This way the twig is bent. 

      Born of my trunk and strengthened by my roots, 

      You must stretch newgrown branches 

      Closer to the sun 

      Than I can reach.
I wanted to say: 

      Extend my self to that far atmosphere 

      Only my dreams allow.

But the twig broke,
And yesterday I saw her
Walking down an unfamiliar street,
      Feet confident,
      Face slanted upward toward a threatening sky,
      And
      She was smiling
      And she was
      Her very free,
      Her very individual,
      Unpliable
      Own.

Naomi Long Madgett