Thoughtful Regard

forty is like a solid table with four legs,
an even surface,
and plenty of space for all of the beautiful things that

belong on tables.

* birthday wishes from my dear cousin, in Niger

**two portraits drawn by Eliza this morning, as I sat writing out a lesson for her - "Mama, you were so still, I could draw you!" - um, I would like to mention that while I definitely have a healthy distribution of facial fuzz, my "mustache" is not green. Nor is it prickly, says Anika.