Girls of Minnesota

My hands 

glide 

over the 

pumpkins 

and I let 

a smile 

creep in

the corner 

of my mouth.

Little girls

running around 

so 

free and happy.

The scarecrow 

watches over the masses

to make sure 

that rules

are obeyed.

I was once

that little 

girl running

around 

fearless

until 

I was introduced 

to this world.

I sit down 

on a little 

bale of hay

and drink

my warm cider.

As it goes down

the familiar 

spices 

of my grandmother

and mom 

circle 

my nose

and I realize

that I am right 

where they

were.

I stopped looking 

at them when they 

got a certain age.

It was too painful.

Because I knew

I would be next.

I hate that 

I did that.

I hate that

I stopped running 

free.

I stood up and 

whispered to 

myself,

Come on 

Wanda and Barb

lets do this together. 

I put my arms out

like an airplane

and

I ran 

with fearlessness.

Letting 

the wind 

take my 

gray hair 

and lift 

my heart.

Running for 

The girls

of Minnesota.