Holding to the Ground - Stephanie J. Block

I was sure growing up I would live the life

my mother assumed I’d live:

very jewish,

very middle class,

and very straight.

Where healthy men

stayed healthy men

and marriages were long and great.

I smile.

I don’t complain.

I’m trying to keep sane

As the rules keep changing.

families aren’t what they were.

Thank god, there’s a husband and a child whom I adore.

But then there’s more,

so many more.

There’s always more,

life is never what you planned

life is moments you can’t understand.

And that is life.

I’m plain.

I don’t astound.

I hold to the ground

As the ground keeps shifting,

keeping my balance square.

Trying not to care about this man who Marvin loves.

But that’s my life.

He shared my life.

Yes, that’s my life.

Life is never what you planned.

Life is moments you can’t understand

and that is life.

Holding to the ground as the ground keeps shifting.

Trying to keep sane as the rules keep changing.

Keeping up my head as my heart fallsout of sight.

Everything will be all right.

Everything will be all…