In order to smile she is

~not being carded outside the club~

~finding a dollar in her pocket~

~eating the first chip in the bag~

honestly though

she feels fresh soil underfoot

she sees flowers in full bloom

she can hear the faint pump

of the hummingbird’s wings

she is drinking a crisp pale ale

in the garden

and talking with her late uncle

she is receiving a nod from a stranger

and moving in fresh sheets she can

kiss under

also

she sees a sky full of stars

without a man

holding her back

she is in lockdown

without any

strings attached

and even more honestly

she is holding a conversation

with someone

other than herself