Little Me

Looking back
I see a wiry young girl
With an old soul
Vibrating with curiosity
Flat on her broad back
Tanned legs in hand me downs
A head adorned with red ringlets
Green eyes shut in ecstasy
As Lady Day serenades her
She is conducting
With sure hands
Flexible fingers
Counting swung couplets
Dissecting chords with
A voice too big for her
Gospel pours out of her
As surely and readily
As raindrops from storm-clouds
She is obstinate with joy
And fiercely original