Leading an ordinary life.
I had my first baby on March 24,
I named him Mark,
After his father,
Who was only 20.
I was a Girl Scout for a month,
Until I realized how boring a brownie was.
I played with Anne,
Since I lived next door,
On the banks of the Huang He.
I remember how I used to always question,
Why my house was smaller than Laura’s,
As we gathered eggs every morning.
I was born in the city,
I was just another number added,
To the growing population.
I remember my grandmother’s cooking,
The day my mom left.
I went to Tienman Square,
But I managed to catch the first plane out.
I got locked in the bathroom on American Airlines,
The door was apparently too heavy.
My mom was at La Guardia,
I still recognized her.
She’s one of my best friends,
I tell her everything.
I am just a little girl,
Leading an ordinary life.
I had friends fake and real,
Chasing each other in the alley.
I was a Handmaid years ago,
And I watched the innocent limply hang.
I babysat a boy,
He was named after the Count of Monte Cristo.
I was a gymnast on the balance beams,
At the same time mastering ballet, tap, and jazz.
I was born before the New Year,
And I brought good luck to everyone.
I inspired Matisse with my colors and patterns,
While I sat thinking with Rodin.
I have a friend that shares my birthday,
We are going to watch fireworks on Memorial Day,
From atop the Forbidden Palace.
I fell in love with Aladdin,
And wanted more than anything to be Jasmine.
I was Mulan when she crossed the Great Wall,
I pulled out my sword and defeated the Hun.
I wanted to be friends with Claudia, Kristen, Mallory, and Dawn,
As the Wardrobe beckoned me to go.
I saw Witches with no hair and square toes,
And I tied the Centipede’s one hundred shoes.
I comforted Jo when her sister died,
But I never forgave Amy for taking my man.
I am just a little girl,
Leading an ordinary life.
I watch the old people play Bingo every week.
One man with a cigar winks at me.
One woman with green hair asks me my name.
Another woman complains when I help others.
Every week, once a week.
I rode on a chariot,
And Cleopatra drove by.
She waved to me,
But I was too busy with Marc Anthony.
The music plays in my head,
Over and over, as if I am still in the front row.
I have tasted cow’s brains,
But I have never touched a cow.
I sat with Newton under his apple tree,
As I discovered gravity.
Gallelio used that telescope,
That I invented years ago.
I classified with Linneaus,
As I performed surgery on Gage.
I developed the X-rays,
Upon Roselyn’s request.
I was swimming in the Nile,
When Ghandi got his Nobel Peace Prize.
I was in a Buddhist monastery,
The day Christ was crucified.
I was a judge at Salem,
When I held hands with the Devil.
I am running naked through the woods,
And I am yet to be found.