I Wish I had Known
I wish I had known when I was a child
My cartwheels were exquisite
So too was my smile
I wish I had known when I was a teen
I was neither too tall
Too fierce nor too meek
I wish I had known when I felt alone
That I was the fire
That should’ve been cloned
I wish I had known when dripping in fear
That facing my demons
Would spawn what’s now clear
I wish I had known that my broken heart
Was earnestly mending
Not tearing apart
I wish I had learned from women before
That age grants permission
To embrace our own flaws
I no longer recoil from what lies ahead
For so much anxiety
At long last can rest
Though I am grateful I still have a wish
That my children know
They are perfect as is