Darlings

She came out of her room

sat nearly ten feet away

across the new wood coffee 

table with cuts and digs 

just like it was made from

a tree in the backyard.

She's remained there

ate her dinner there

even commented on the 

red valances I hung.

The bedroom door is open

so of course I can see

the ripple effects of 

locking herself in her room

for days--coming out for 

food and to shower.

I let her do it

I watched her 

not speak to me and 

waited for her to realize

I'm not the enemy

or some ignoramus

who doesn't get what 

It's like to be the new kid

who thinks her new 

band mates won't get her 

and therein lies the crux--

not that they're weird 

or different but that 

maybe they'll think she is. 

I can't tell her they won't.

I want to tell her it will all

be okay because teenagers

are darlings and they are

sure to accept you as you are.

Then I know to say absolutely 

nothing.