For Claire

We are a pair of kindergartners
who now step into classes
that do not use craft partners.

We have learned how to grow and how to live young
though we are on the bottom wrung.
I love the scars on which we cannot place a date,
love the ironies this world creates.
We forgive the cuts and scrapes of past mistakes
and have learned to swim through tides of joy and pain.
Just like we swam on Swim Day in kindergarten,
we go with friends whose love is never meek.