In a meeting she had called,
My contact lens popped to the floor.

As I stumbled blindly on the carpet
she instinctively came to my help,
took my hand, and led my finger
right to the missing lens.

She is one of so many women
in my life who, when I stumbled
blindly took my hand, then led me
to sight or knowledge, light or life.

Half blind, I am still alive by them:
By their biology, their instincts,
their wisdom for how to counter
my self-destructive nature
by insisting every time
I reach for the fruit
at the top of the tree,
that the fruit at the bottom
is so much easier to find,
and just as good

Thank God
I swing from the vine
they patiently
knit together each day.

If any read this
one day…
Thank you.