for sid, rica, gilly and neen

my girls
my girls
my almost me
mellowed in a brown bag
held tight and straining 
at the top
like a good lunch
until the bag turned weak and wet
and burst in our honeymoon rooms.
we wiped the mess and
dressed you in our name and 
here you are
my girls
my girls
forty quick fingers
reaching for the door.

i command you to be
good runners 
to go with grace
go well in the dark and
make for high ground
my dearest girls
my girls 
my more than me.