In the evening grace,
She left a trail of tears.
Soft, unremembered tears
Fled from her eyes
To the steps of her porch.
Drip.
Drop.
Drip.
Drop.
The splatter of rain
Awakened her from her thoughts.
The trees fluttered
Side to side,
Catching the raindrops.
The trees happily lapped it up,
Basking in eternal rainfall.
Side to side.
The girl smiled with peace.
'If I was one of those trees?'
If I was sturdy and strong
Like those trees.
She thought to herself
A happier thought.
If I was a cloud
Or a bridge Or a kite,
Then would I still be me?
Of all the creatures in the world,
If I was a lynx, a turtle, or a fox,
Then would would I still remember
My ABCs?
Would I run faster,
Jump higher,
Chomp louder?
Would I lead the pack
Or would I stumble back?
If my jeans fit just right,
If I knew the right words to say,
If I knew how to
Get rid of ramen stains,
Then would boys notice me?
If I was good at math,
talked clearer,
Or whistled,
Then would adults take me seriously?
If I stopped quoting movies
Or if I stopped looking for answers.
If my name was Regina Phalange
Or Erica or Sue or Rick.
If,
If,
If.
If I did this or that,
Or if I did neither or both,
Then would I be happier?
If I was anything but myself
Or if I was nothing but,
Who would have the last words to say?
But in the end,
The girl was just as confused
As she was from the start.
She stood there puzzling
Under the pouring rain.
Drip drop.
Side to side.
The girl looked and found
The tree still grateful,
Still refreshed,
And still yes, a tree.
Her tears disappeared
Without a trace
Under the clouds and out of the rain.
Drip.
Drop.
Side to side.
She thought to herself
'If I were a tree.'
