To My Daughters … and Yours

By Bebe Coker

Don’t put me on a pedestal — my butt’s too wide!
Don’t tell me just what you expect — let’s BOTH decide!
Don’t lock me into routine things — I don’t fit molds.
Don’t tell me what to think or say — I can’t be told.

Don’t talk of love in fancy words — touch me, I feel.
Don’t claim eternal care as such — ’cause death is real.
Don’t treat me like some “super-mom” — I’m no big “S”!
Don’t guilt-trip me about our house — sometimes, a mess!

Just be with me, I’ll be with you — let’s all just play our parts.
Let’s live our lives in deeds, not words.
Let’s talk in hearts.

Author’s Note: I wrote this for Laurie, Joanie, and Julie — my three “Angels.”