the kitchen window

i needed

a kitchen window

with yellow

curtains, tied back

so that i could see.

i needed

to stand at the sink and look

out at the street.

i needed to wash

dishes while i stood

there,

with a plant on the sill.

i needed to see the seasons

pass,

i needed to see

the children grow,

and leave.

i wanted to watch

the moon rise and

the sun set,

pink and lovely

in the trees.

i needed what my

mother had

before me.

i needed a kitchen window.

now i have one,

come see.