VELVET BLESSINGS: We remember. We forgive. And we begin again.

Do you remember when we were pretty

But mirrors were cruel?

When our topography snubbed our feet,

just as the anointed snubbed us in school cafeterias.

When a blemish foretold public mortification

amid fervent supplications to the gods of flawless skin.

Do you remember when we were pretty,

But clumsy and clueless?

When friendships

formed, blossomed,

curdled, dissolved,

only to blossom again,

scarred

by the claws of hurt and mistrust –

tiny heart-tattoos of baggage.

Do you remember when we were pretty

and we fell in love

and out of love

and crushed and soared and crashed and splintered?

How we rose again,

inebriated with love and lust,

reckless, ruthless, ridiculous, oblivious.

Do you remember when we were pretty,

How we dashed towards immortality?

When possibilities were sliding doors

we pranced through on a whim,

our choices irrational

but heady and heart-driven?

How life returned the lucky among us to sender,

When mouthfuls of lemons

Sent us skedaddling.

Do you remember when we were pretty –

Oh, so very, very pretty! –

Now that our feet beckon our topography,

and time bolts towards eternity?

I hope, now, that we soften,

strive to let the inconsequential go.

I hope

joy sunshines your days.

I hope

love lingers, caressed by grace.

I hope

friendships endure the gripes and misunderstandings.

And, perhaps most of all,

I hope

health swathes you in velvet blessings.