I don't know what to say.
"Today you are a woman"?
When I got mine I hid
the panties and their stain,
my body never mine
till I was sharing it
with you. Now, when and if
you choose, and as you choose,
you'll bring new life to light
and be the mother one
yourself. Yes, well. Do you
already know you were
a seed in me when I
was in your grandma's womb?
We've been together for
a while. And if I could,
I'd take you to the red
and spacious tent. Instead
I'll brush your hair and wrap
your wrist with this red thread
with origins like ours
in Africa. For you,
this leather necklace with
the ankh, the souvenir
of Egypt grandma brought
before she died. This gold
bejeweled egg is yours
as well, and when you look
inside you’ll find —