LAMENTATION

Little girl, bambina,

treasure of daddy’s heart.

A girl-child set gracefully apart

from the boys running free beyond the yard.

Little girl, bambina,

kneeling in the pew.

A girl-child quietly humming the chorus

while the boys sing free up in the choir loft.

Little girl, bambina

patiently waiting for adulthood

a girl-child home obeying family rules

while the boys explore the world.

Little girl, bambina

now grown and flown from home

no longer a mere girl-child

but an America woman fully grown.

How blessed to be an American woman;

Though Italian, and Catholic grown.

Now free to run alongside the  boys.

The world is yours to own.

Little girl, bambina

delighted to be free

and equal to any boy or man.

That is what it means to be an American.

Little girl, bambina,

no treasure now are you aware.

A woman without freedom nor equality,

is your burden, once more, to bear.