3 Southern Belles

When you're 7 months old

the world just seems to come alive

and you can't believe

how much there is to

see and do

and

taste and touch

until you realize how

heavy

your body is

and that it is nearly

impossible

to get somewhere,

which is

anywhere

except where

you

are

now.

When you're 7 months old,

you also realize that people seem to

come and go -- mostly go --

more than they used to.

And when they go,

you wonder if they'll come back.

And when they go,

it's sad.

And it makes you cry.

Real tears,

that tumble down

and leave a tear-stained trail

down your innocent

pillowy

cheeks.