Inspired from Faithless by Joyce Carol Oates p.184 “For this is a fact I’ve learned that has surprised me a little: we come to love our parents more as we grow older together, in a kind of jolting lockstep. Realizing at the midpoint of our lives, looking at them looking anxiously at us, My God, We’re in this together.” Mirrors We are born loving them, trusting them They are our first loves Our Alpha our Omega And all the letters in between In time we judge more, love less Disappointed with trust We question The foundations we grew upon In loving others our affection for Oedipus and Electra are replaced They die loving us Trusting us, imploring forgiveness From us…not for them We are left with a legacy For our children to explore first teachers, first companions Each the other’s reflection. Lisa Albright Ratnavira 1-27-06