my celebration
by carol parris krauss

My daughter, Kelly, is fourteen but she still likes to sneak up the steps every now and then to sleep with me. We first laugh and giggle over silly discoveries: did you know the loose skin at your elbow is called a wenis and that there are several wolphins, whale/dolphin combos, in captivity?? She has a rough raucous laugh that emits from her belly and rolls off her lips; think a juvenile Lauren Bacall.

We talk about her concerns and her goals. Her wishes include a flatter belly and bigger boobs; welcome to the world of “woman wishing“, daughter. Kelly wants to be a doctor, and while she celebrates that I am a teacher, resentment that my salary has not allowed us the luxury of owning a home is freely expressed. My poetry accomplishments thrill her but she honestly admits my poetry is dark, murky, and quite un-decipherable to her.

Our sleeping positions have a set and rigid protocol. She must sleep on her side with her back to me. I then wrap my hands around her belly for security like a blanket. Couples call this position spooning, but we call it snugglifying. She may not place her face to me; she possesses a snore like an amorous bull-frog.

After Kelly fades off to sleep, I like to smell her. Her hair still smells like Johnson’s baby powder and the nape of her neck is a musky vanilla mix. I no longer count her toes like I did when she was a new born. We soon fade to sleep and morning finds me in the same position; afternoon discovers Kelly.

I may not count toes, but as old-fashioned as it may sound to some, I count my blessings. These moments have reminded me of the gift God has given me. While some woman may cringe at the thought that my daughter is my greatest accomplishment, I just keep counting my blessings, pondering the origin of the wenis.

Carol Parris Krauss is a child of the hills who currently lives in South Florida with her daughter Kelly. She is a poet and teacher. Her writing is quite simple and usually reflective. A few places her work can or will soon be found are—Western North Carolina Woman magazine, The South Carolina Review, Blue Collar Review, Avocet, and Pebble Lake Review.