my daughter

I see my daughter arriving
through the window
she's beautiful beyond words.
she brings me joy.
I want to weep for her,
to take whatever pain that
life may bring her and take it
upon myself.
in my mind she is still
a child. a girl on a swing.
a girl with books, and drawings.
but now a woman.
she is careful with the world,
but not enough.
I want to tell her that, but
don't. she needs to go,
be on her own, away from
parents, from what she knows.
I have given her all that I
have. that's all one can do
and then surrender, let love
and compassion do the rest.
she's arriving.
she's leaving.