by Lenore Horowitz

I love plenty
so much more than less,
that generous expanse
opening,
lifting outwards,
wheels of petals,
new green leaves.
So much better than
closing down,
pulling inward,
inside the husk of things.

So off with skins
and belts and too tight shells!
Grow new cells,
arms and legs and hands.
If you must be fish,
then be a starfish,
swim through galaxies
of glittering foam;
if bird, then fly
beyond the tallest tree
and mountain nest;
if star,
spin off to distant constellations,
farthest milky ways.

Even if housebound,
clean your closets,
make new rooms
to decorate with magic stones
feathers from your journeys
through the open windows of your heart.

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Donna Henes is the author of The Queen of My Self: Stepping into Sovereignty in Midlife. She offers counseling and upbeat, practical and ceremonial guidance for individual women and groups who want to enjoy the fruits of an enriching, influential, purposeful, passionate, and powerful maturity. Consult the MIDLIFE MIDWIFE™

The Queen welcomes questions concerning all issues of interest to women in their mature years. Send your inquiries to thequeenofmyself@aol.com.