Sums

She sat beside the quiet brook
once a maid, soon to be old
and in the shimmering pool did look;
saw threads of silver and of gold
and lines upon her mellow face
that veiled her like Venetian lace

Then a voice behind her said
"Who do you see in that deep water?"
and drifting back from in her head
she answered "Mother, sister, daughter
aunty, grandma, friend and wife
and lover - this has been my life"

"But look closer" the voice did say
"Remove the veil that hides you deep
Look carefully, closely, all the way,
for in the depths someone does sleep"
So she unraveled all the thread
that bound herself inside her head

And was amazed at what was there
She'd not suspected it before
A bright, sure spark was shimmering fair
dwelling in her deepest core
She pondered on what this could be
"I wonder if this thing is me?"

She looked it squarely in the face
"Who are you? Why have you come?''
It offered up a sweet embrace
"You had the fractions, I'm the sum!"
She gazed again at her reflection
and was satisfied with her inspection
(finding there a new direction)

So she did leave that pretty brook
and started on her westward way;
a different path this time she took
Then, with the fading of the day
the thing inside her sang with glee
"How great it is that I am free!"
She answered, "I am glad you're me"

Zannie 2006