My daughter Divina

Sometimes a daughter
           may be thirty years old
but not always
           as in this portrait
based on a photo
           taken when she was eleven
and even today
           she is no longer thirty
the clock having moved
           but she retains
that innocent gaze
           and she is gentle
and kindness itself
           and she speaks her mind
because she minds
           her truth and loves
to sit at a table
           and share a meal
with those she loves
           who love her back

John Lyons