Evenings

She sits beside me, calm, serene,
My child with a woman's dream.

Words unspoken, we're both aware
Of her troubled love which clings the air
As a mother's care reaches out
And the child, child woman with her doubts
Claims her free identity.

To be herself, and take her chance
Not prove me wrong ~ and yet, not right,
But to walk the path of life
She considers is her right
Ah, sweet sweet dreams at seventeen.

Girlish fingers touch my hand
Her eyes search mine, 1 understand
The pain, the love, that fills her heart
Just to be - just to see
When you're only seventeen
My child, child woman
With a woman's dream.