In passing
A man
Arms full
Dropped something
So I stopped
Picked it up
Handed it back
“Thanks girl”
I don’t remember my answer
But I said to my father
“I wish he hadn’t called me girl
I’m 37
A mother
A professional
A woman”
He told me not to complain
It was a compliment
I look young
I swallowed
Feeling more girl
Than woman
Because I couldn’t explain
Why that hurt