What I Learned in College

My winter breath mouths Morse code--
Orion's belt always a beacon--
a solitary walk back to the car.

I am the protagonist of my story.

The North Star--
pinnacle of the Big Dipper--

my northern star from Lake Minnetonka.

When I was little, I thought it was our star,
meant for Minnesota.

I've always loved the sound of
high heels on the linoleum.

Sunday mornings in the kitchen--
coffee with the funnies, and Mom
is dressed up for church.

A grown woman can wear high heels.

My teacher used to tell me,
(out in the hall, one hand on my shoulder)
"Don't roll your eyes at me--
You have an attitude problem, young lady."

Young women are prone to "attitude problems."
Add ten years--what would my teacher say?

This is what I have learned in college.

An authoritative strut--how to walk in high heels.
How to question--
how to tilt my head upward on a clear night.
How to wear an olive beret--style.

"Too talkative in class."
How to be alone.

May 2005