Life, when I was a little girl, seemed so uncomplicated
Now that I am older.
When I was a little girl I used to lose small things
Like mittens, and money – maybe a nickel or dime
I use to lose cleaner’s tickets and bus passes
Sometimes I’d even lose the house keys and
Maybe a little freedom when I misbehaved
(which seemed to be much too often)
Those were traumatic events in my young life
I use to spend days, nights, crying about the
Things I lost. (Fear of punishment from my mama)
Knowing that no doubt I would be on restriction –
Confined to the house – cut off from my world
Now that I’m older, I wish I could lose a nickel or
Dime, a mitten, the house keys or even a cleaner’s ticket.
Today I’d welcome the punishment given for losing those things
Because there ain’t no consolation when you’re
Losing your mind!!!
10/21/74 – New York City
LLRR 9:30pm
