Beads, Braids, and Truth - by Sherri Gragg

Sweet, brown baby girls of every shade and size,
Wrapped safely in cocoon and nest of home.
Mommies know it can not last,
One day they will explore all alone.

Baby girls can’t stay forever.
The big, wide world will call,
And time’s bittersweet work will change,
Sweet brown girls one and all.

A caterpillar does not stay,
Always snuggled in cocoon,
She emerges as a butterfly,
Changed all too soon.

The smallest bird of soft down and bright eye,
Will one day spread her wings,
Leaving behind safe shelter,
Finding her song to sing.

And baby girls must fly as well,
Into the world they must go.
So, Mommies, while they can,
Whisper truth while they braid, bead, and bow.