Daughter
If I had been son
………….she’d have stitched wings for me
…………………………………in her neat, feathered hand.
She’d have taught me
……………the languages of rain,
………………………..how to read cloud.
To practice I’d have floated up
……………with bright balloons of boys
……………………………flying on other mother’s wings.
Together we’d have studied ancient maps,
…………..running our fingers
……………………….,across their skins.
She’d have shown me hedgerows,
…………….the dynasties of water voles and hares,
…………………………all their small ways, how they feared
and when the day came
…………..to let me shine, she would have warmed
……………………….the morning sky.
Hilary Hares’ poems have found homes online and in print including Ink, Sweat & Tears, The Interpreter’s House, Magma, South and Stand. She has a Poetry MA from MMU and her collection, A Butterfly Lands on the Moon supports Loose Muse, Winchester.
atriumpoetry.com 