I remember her
by Crystal Cook

I remember.
I felt silly sitting there
posing, pretending
the camera wasn’t
watching me,
capturing me
in that moment.
But now,
now I look at the
fading photo
and I remember her,
that girl on the bench.
I see her innocence,
I know her past.
I study her,
that baby doll dress
and tea party hat.
Thirteen years old,
a little girl,
becoming
someone new
and I see
strength
and resilience,
I see someone
too young
to have the
memories
she has.
I’m proud of her.
Her momma
taught her well,
gave her what
she would need
to walk into
the future,
to become
me.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: My memory of this day is vivid, I remember how I was feeling, what the air felt like as it tickled my skin. I knew change surrounded me. I was changing, growing up despite having…