Flexibility

I have been to you wall and editor,

Cliff Notes and coat rack and smartecarte.

I can be an entertainer or a hammer.

I am the toolbag who would become toolbox.

You have returned more than the thought

As teacher and manager and nurse,

As audience and muse and producer.

We have been to each other second parents,

Feeding and clothing one the other's heart,

We have both filled needs of happenstance,

But we missed the father-daughter dance.

We have not traced the mortal step,

“The next step,” “the final step,”

Which, in my experience, is no step up,

Which, as I know, is not final or meaningful,

But love is flexible.