Great Expectations

Mama wasn't Miss Havisham,

But I understood the expectations

When (in fifth grade) she signed my book:

"Ten years hence you'll be sitting high

Married to a very rich guy.

Your motto: A ring on every finger."

I wasn't. I didn't. It's not.

Deceived by Teensville, she dreamed I'd marry Opie,

Armed me with dance, piano, baton, skating ---

Charm school and modeling for insurance ---

All the essential skills for Man Catching.

Moon-burned, I plunged into my studies,

Grew expert in feather boa, lipstick and Wonderbra,

Smiling scorn at their auctioned affections:

The Desired and Dangerous Vintage.

What Mama didn't count on, what I didn't know?

The sky of desire

The scent of loneliness

The shattering of my heart.

Vicki Goldsberry Colker

April 3, 1998