A Thought

You know, you could have visited me today.
I was doing nothing anyway.
Just sitting here thinking my thoughts,
accepting whatever the day brought.

I thought of my days as a child,
of those who educated me for awhile.
my frightening pre-teen and teenage days,
filled with secrets, darkness and rage.

I didn't have many dances, parties,
or youthful times at play,
rites of passage were denied me,
in the usual way.

Plagued with blame, personal sorrow
and such great pain...
thoughts of friends and loved ones,
never to see again.

More trying years than a woman should bear,
bore them all with such great care.
Older than my years, still fighting back old tears.
Loves all gone, life is going on.

You could have visited me today.
I was doing nothing anyway.