The Longest Way ’Round

Nikki Giovanni

Mommy taught

3rd grade

Her book was The Longest

Way ’Round (Is The Shortest Way Home)

I was an adult

Before I realized

How True

Their marriage

Is none of your business

You don’t understand

Your parents don’t owe

You anything

You finally say to yourself:

They Have Nothing

I want

Except

I remember this Blue Book

With a wonderful title

My Mother West Wind Stories

And Mommy singing

“Time After Time”

It worked

I am Happy