#8: Playing Catch-up

caring for my dying love made
my pockets thinner than
before–I missed Jaidy’s birthday.
it’s a blow to my pride to
not be able to shower my girl
with gifts on the day she was gifted to us.
making up for it at the same
time Caison’s 8th approaches
will push my heart to higher heights.
she knows where I stand.
she remembers every offering of
love she has ever received from me.
now that there isn’t a mouth
begging for money I can’t get
from trees, the babies shine brighter.
I’m playing catch-up, and I
am not ashamed to admit why I
couldn’t give what I wanted to.
I am not ashamed because life
happened upon me in a way
I never thought it would.
Death costs an arm and a leg,
and after you’ve run out of those limbs,
there aren’t many more to give.
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?
I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak about the most recent events with a previous place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination, growth from the transition after resigning from that company, and life’s foibles and overall experiences. I welcome your visit.

Awwww you’re so sweet Tre! Great gifts
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🩵💜❤️
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You’re a good person.
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🙏🏾🩵 Thank you. That’s rather kind of you, Selma.
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This year I told my kids no presents for my birthday. Instead they are giving me plant and IT support. I’m thrilled.
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Ooh! That is something to me thrilled about! But when you think about it, they’re still gifts, just different kinds of gifts. I love this for you, Peggy!
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I love it too. A gift of their time, effort and company.
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Love is the greatest gift of all!
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This is very true. Very true, indeed. But when they’re young like this, I just love getting a gift-giver. There’s something about it, you know?
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