woman
we were girls together
sitting on your bed
humming the music on vinyl
I still snap to
being 17 together
drawing college applications
like tarot cards
hovering our fingers over choices
& hoping for the best
of all possible outcomes
I want to know where
you left that girl stranded
pushed out of the car
you were driving too fast
so you could start looking outside yourself
for what you think you need
I need to know when
you started believing magazine definitions
of who you should be
which scales
to measure yourself by
& whose exchange
to trade your heart on
because that girl I remember
knew her own value
far more
than the woman you became
Susan Daniels Poetry 
I like this a lot!!!
Boomie–thank you!
So many of those friends
We thought they were so plugged in
Turned out they had feet of clay
They turned their backs and walked away
Moved on to the status quo
Cause that was always so much more
Comfortable
And let them feel good
About their lives and such
Even though it isn’t much
And they don’t want to know
What’s really going on today
Or join in the fray
They’d rather just walk away
No vested interest, anyway
too right–not even in herself…
Walking back in time … loved this piece 🙂
thanks, GS!
God – this is so good. Really really true.
Anne–thanks so very much. This one has been floating around in my head for a while 😉
Interesting one that sorta kinda hits me hard. Sometimes it works in reverse.
Yes–it is better when it works in reverse–then there is growth.
I dig it. So sad though.
Thanks, Trent. I was actually more angry than sad when I wrote this. Of the two, I prefer the sad coming through.
I felt it. I have friends/non-friends like this. They have matured into something unfathomable. At least they call it maturity anyway.
Yes, exactly, Trent. I honestly do not know what to call what has happened here–it most certainly is not growth or maturity.
Sigh. I think sometimes it’s money. I remember people in school being one way, then once they get a job and career and can obtain toys, they seems to transmute.
True.
I really do appreciate this poem, especially how you flip the “conventional wisdom” that young women are more vulnerable to doubt and to “losing themselves” than so-called “mature adults.”
And, as usual, you have a way of making us feel like we are right there, a part of what is happening.
Thanks, Jeremy. Yes, this is almost a regression I see here–quite disturbing. Thanks for going backward and forward in memory with me on this one.
“Magazine definitions” – so true. I think we all know people like this.
I think so too!
nice piece on the reflective of growing pains perhaps.
Yes–except she grew the other way…sad. So what would we call it in that case–shrinking pains or something similar?
Very touching, Susan. Sad and beautiful.
George, thank you. Makes me sad to think of my friend losing that sense of self, and more than a little angry.
Ever moved to my core!
Thanks, Deb!
Aw! A heavy nostalgic trip! 🙂
It sure was, Ken–thanks for reading it.
I feel sad reading this. So evocative for me.
Aw, thank you C. Was sad when I wrote it.
Susan– this is wonderfully written. Sad that we all have had friendships like this.. you nailed it.
A, thanking you. Still wondering where she went, that strong girl.