When I was little, I played with boys

Their games suited a wigglebutt;

The girls had more expensive toys

And, wouldn’t play with the tomboy nut.

That was fine, I loved the noise

I kept my hair and nails short cut;

I learned my lessons, earned some praise

I dreamed I’d be an astronaut.

Then we all grew and dreams did change,

My guys each chose their Barbie Dolls.

Their women, giggles would exchange

And meet each other at shopping malls.

All would clap for the one on stage,

But, had no seats in the dining halls.

I thought I had escaped a cage,

By being left outside their walls.

As history had it, we dispersed

And shuffles began all anew

In my life muddy waters churn

And friendships vanish like the dew.

A few did float into my cove

They stayed a while and found their way

I’d go running to my stove

To feed them, loneliness at bay

When fortunes changed, away they drove

Thanked me for their pleasant stay.

I paid the bills, I sowed the grove

I waited for another day

But, days got shorter, youth had waned

Old lovers were all gone or dead.

The ones whose friendship was abstained

Are coming back to tears shed

“I should have known you would have stayed”

The rest is better left unsaid.

I’ve flown their roof, but pain remained

Was this my life or a masquerade?

As life would have it, we’ve decayed;

And children began all anew.

In life the muddy waters churn,

And friendships vanish like the dew…

Marjan Farzaad. 9/12/2022