Sonnet 11
(for Jack, my mother's husband)

Who is Jack? In Mother's shadow standing
Like a shade of vague substance that remained
No matter how much I railed and complained
Against his presence; I was commanding
Fluid circumstance to my whim
With little understanding of a heart
Proprietary interest was the part
That I feared of surrendering to him
And yet I found that fear once faced will fold
Its hand and stand aside allowing Love
In larger measure; it will always prove
Ever-growing with each heart it will hold
Now no shade, firm substance, breathing and whole
Loving and extraordinary soul.