I’d lie if I said I recalled the first
Time I saw her when she arrived
Indelibly into my existence we were
Girls brought up to be ladies of pride.
Rebellious spirits claiming freedom ruled
By strict parents and Dominican nuns
Teenagers experiencing life, initial steps
To self-discovery and love affairs,
Eagerly inclined to embrace all kinds of people
Regardless of origins statuses cultures and beliefs
For the endless adventure of encounters
Was all we really fed on to blossom
Into amazing human beings.
Everyone was different each approach
A revelation as we indulged and explored
Black music discos and French literature
Forty books in a year the enriching price
Paid for a baccalaureate where the only
Question asked is a point of view in loving
Families silencing expression, a teacher
Makes a difference by inflaming passions
We write. I confess I waited my turn
To let her into my world though I deeply felt
Since day one she’d be part of me thereon,
I gazed I stared occasionally I gaped
She left me in awe her big brown eyes
Her smile her thoughts, lost in popularity
A day came we became, friends,
Forever giving meaning to the word.
Two individuals recognising in each other
Their essence dust from the same star
As she shines my light I shine hers
She was my torch in my darkest hour.
She’s the sparkle in my eyes I love her
Hope she fully grasps the extent of my purest
Sentiment while I wish her happy birthday.
Best wishes my dear Mirene.
[Featured photo: Mirene and me, Rome 1999]