She is Grace

She Is Grace

She is studious.
There are times
when she escapes her studies
by stepping through the looking glass
and walking with me
through comedy and tragedy
on the other side
of a glowing rectangle.
But something always calls her back
to her books and papers
slideshows and lesson plans
sticky notes and to-do lists
exploring landscapes of language
examining maps and drawing paths
so that she can lead her students
on a journey through a foreign land.

She is musical.
Her voice often raises in song
and I often sing along
but sometimes I just listen.
The music moves her to sing and dance
and when she comes home
she brings with her
snippets of pop radio tunes
and verses of hymns
that weave together
into a single soundtrack
unlike any other.

She is playful.
Sometimes it’s as simple as
a sudden tickle
a silly word
a light push or slap
in response to a bad joke.
And then there are the games.
Her eyes light up
at the sight of hexagonal tiles
decks of cards
rolling dice
and the laughing faces of friends
that go along with them.

She is beautiful.
Her beauty shifts like the seasons
and her costume is a form of self-expression
button-up shirt, slacks, and watch at work
long dress or short dress for a night on the town
sweatshirt, jeans, pony tail on a day off
pajama pants and T-shirt with no bra for a night at home.
Whatever the season
the view is always breathtaking.
It’s all tied together by her eyes
the endless stories told by her eyes
wide with laughter, wet with tears
shining so brightly
it’s like staring into the sun.

She is studious.
She is playful.
She is beautiful.
She is Grace.