the cousin

she said why can’t you

be more like your cousin

she never brings her “friend”

to family events...her partner

of more than a decade hasn’t

even made it above “friend” 

status. this is the kind of 

support i get from my mother

and I’d blame it on an age thing,,

generational gap, but that would 

be unfair to all the 70 plus people

out there that except their gay 

children, grandchildren, etc., with

love and open arms. and isn’t the

bigger question really why do i care

so much?? why can’t i live a life without 

the need of this woman’s approval, 

these matriarchal, italian, catholic women 

of my family hand down their judgement

with a spoon full of tortellini and a 

glass of wine to shut you up and keep

your opinions to yourself....

for the girls

for the little girls

who paint their faces

like army men and 

role around in the dirt

the girls who play with 

match box cars on the 

side of a hill, making

tracks of adventure

forever imprinted on 

your heart....be bold

get dirty and play hard

dream big of your greatness

and never, ever let anyone

squash you goals little girl

because they will try, oh 

how they will try, people

will try to tell you not

to get dirty and what 

things you should or

should not like, but

don’t ever let them 

break your spirit 

for adventure, grow

grow up to be bold

and beautiful and

let yourself be

the girl on the 

playground with 

scrapped knees

and messy hair 

because someday

it will all be worth it