Scarlet Artist

HoCo Royalty

my Homecoming queens
who will never win titles
will still win with me

and what have they learned?
just how to love everyone
from all walks of life

it's almost over
(we say goodbye tomorrow)
for now, there's a view

my baby's driving
(i can't believe she's fifteen)
and finding her way

the youngest’s birthday 
(an early celebration)
before big sis leaves

Toy Story 3. Now.
i could carry the bag out
and cry all morning

a toy, a trigger?
my girl is off to college.
(this is no cartoon).

and so he will stay.
though i know she will leave me.
each grinning their truth.

with a perfect score
my youngest surprises me
(she’s ready to drive)

before the long drive,
enjoy the perfect park. shop.
soak up cousin time.

eat your sister’s meal
till the next time you see her.
too long (just too long).

your daughters will drive.
together, we can make it.
we will rule the night.

it’s all we can rule
with the oldest off to school
we can rule the night.

our youngest driver
plowing through rain, construction
toward the great Erie

our road trips have changed 
as the girls become adults
yet, they’re still the same

local food, great views,
the ever-changing weather, 
seeing every state

a weak pea harvest
(summer slips through soft moments 
between camping; school)

yet the girls giggled 
as they shucked their peas from pods
(no longer my peas)

summer’s soft moments
so fleetingly green and fresh
each year grown harder