M.D.
A poem by Joe Cottonwood

M.D.

Girl, fresh
as a growing green strawberry,
says, I want a carefree life.

I say (without regret):
I’ve had a life of cares.

She later, green shading to red, says
You fix houses that are broken.
I want to fix people who are broken.
Maybe I’ll be a nurse.

Chin on fist I say
Maybe more so, be a doctor.
Yes, she says nodding, finger to lip,
maybe more so.

Her age doubles from that day.
Today in cap and gown
she strides with pride across the stage
to a hungry planet, a life of cares.
And my joy, the more so.

About the Author:

Joe Cottonwood has repaired hundreds of houses to support his writing habit in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. His latest books of poetry are Foggy Dog and Random Saints. He can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JoeCottonwood. His website is http://joecottonwood.com

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