I was born beautifully,
On a Saturday.
A band played outside the house.
May is an extraordinary sight.
Like a yellow violet
opening an ephemeral face.
My sister and brothers were chased
off to the movies
as Charles and I were born,
left to natural devises
when the doctor abandoned us
on learning my parents could not pay.
We were new citizens of poverty.
Identical twins with different destinies.
And,
after all these years
I am still celebrating
with no regrets in Wonderland.
But I ask Providence,
whatever happens,
let me follow the band
when it leaves.