She’s known me rather well for 50 years.
She understands I seldom take advice
or listen to suggestions. Mostly nice
and rational, my willful temper rears
when anybody states how I should spend
my time or modulate my tone of voice.
I grew up young – I early learned to tend
to me and advocate for my own choice.

But we had stimulating talk today.
I walked to visit and she drove me home.
And when she dropped me off, I heard her say
“Now get in there and write a pretty poem.”
And though these aren’t pretty words I’ve penned,
recording grateful love’s what I intend.