by Pamela Denyes


I smell like ginger, apples and caramel, and often garlic.
My voice is a magnolia blowing in a sea breeze.

I have hungry hands that demand to be held.
My tiny ears connect to my heart, not my brain.

I am soft and warm, except in the hurt places, where
I am dangerously sharp and wince at allowing newcomers.

My lips are raspberries with lemon zest.
My green-blue ocean eyes can rinse a soul clean.

I am a Water Dragon, born on the cusp of Virgo and Libra,
with the best and worst tendencies of both.

My mind is wordy, argues with me about what I want,
and is hard to put to bed, like a four-year-old.

I have a quirky smile with a mind of its own.
My body glides magnetically to a body I love.

I feel deeply and often give too much of me away.
My heart lives on my sleeve and tears may run down my arm.

I enjoy an orderly space and hate to clean, but I do it anyway.
My days are colorful, creative and conscientious.

My sons and grandkids are precious like water to me.
A vivid imagination gives me more life than I can ever live.

I can hide like a bandit and run away from what scares me,
and sometimes what scares me is actually good for me.

I struggle to remember that self-doubt is not a stop sign.
I must take a walk to lose a difficult mood or outright anger.

I am a positive-minded Pollyanna, with a little of Mary Poppins’
practical magic for good measure.

My emotions rule my body, so I keep them happy and healthy.
I light up like Christmas when the right person walks into the room.

My life has been busy, challenging, loving, giving, rarely boring,
and I can feel it beginning to slow down.

Header photo by Fadi Xd on Unsplash