OFFLINE

April 2, 2014: Mighty You

You remind me of Maya Angelou
Not because you are the tallest, blackest woman in the room,
and no one dares mention either,
But because you are the smallest, most wheelchair-bound woman in the room,
and no one dares mention either
(least of all, you);

Over shared chocolate cake,
and the news that you have just earned your creative writing degree,
you tell me you've written a memoir that mentions it -
repeatedly -
that some of it is very painful,
and that you are seeking your family's approval to share first;

As it occurs to me this is the first time you have ever publicly acknowledged your life's struggle -
in all the years I have known you -
it strikes me afresh, how mighty you are.
You are the smallest, most wheelchair-bound woman in the room
But we've never mentioned either...
because you are my writing friend;

Like Maya Angelou,
whenever I think of you,
poetry and prose is never far from my mind,
and often, when we talk
- with respect to Maya, and a deep bow to your imprisoned frame -
I know why the caged bird sings.