–For my daughter

If I could relive my life, backtrack

take a different route. Instead of turning away

from the mirror resigned to do what my boyfriend wanted, I would be stronger, not weak and insecure, unravelling. . .he would have eventually married me, I am sure of it now, as sure of it as I am sure of anything in this life, as sure as you.

I would have had a different daughter; you would be lost, no

gone.

If I had had my voice, if I had had my knowledge, he wouldn’t, couldn’t win that one. That voice, that choice leads inevitably to

another daughter–not you. No

you would be lost. No

gone. And me? I would be

someone else. I choose

this one, this life, you

over and over and over again.

again, this time

taking another path.

a different choice

inevitably leads to

another daughter, me

someone else.   I choose

this one,

over and over again.