I used to think the mimes pretended
when they moved their hands against the walls they made us see
But I can feel the coolness as I press my hands
fingers splayed, against the glass that separates us
Today
especially today
I feel the thickness that allows no entry to her path
as I watch her put one foot in front of the other
take one tremulous step after another
and face the tremendous obstacle life has set before her
And I stand helpless
tears sliding down already dampened cheeks
as I watch her make her way
Her way
Just as I made mine
As we make each our own
When she was new
I stood outside beneath the almond tree
and watched her sleep
Diligently I watched
through the glass
confirming that she breathed
I must have known then
looking through the glass
I could not protect her from life
But standing sentry was what I could do
beyond all I could do
to keep her safe
And now I watch again
through glass which has thickened in time
and pray she finds the courage
the clarity to live her life
whatever comes her way
For life is hard
And I cry and I pray and I watch
And there is no entry
For though we live at the same time
we cannot live in the same time
as even those we held tight against our breasts
as even those we delivered into life
And that is the reality
of the glass that stands between
each of us and the other
