I’m sending my kids away
from me, sending my kids
away from isolation, from
Copper Mountain’s metal absorption.

I’m sending my girls to
the land of Wisconsin,
sending my kids to Wisconsin to play.

I’m sending my kids away
for a year, sending my kids
to enjoy seasons that change,
away from a mother who feels partially insane.

I’m sending my girls to
the land of my youth
and my husband’s worth, to Wisconsin to school.

I’m sending my kids away
from me, sending my kids
to a laughter-rich family,
to my in-laws welcoming arms,
where relatives live and love and care.

I’m sending my girls to
the land of the clean,
away to their heritage, to Wisconsin’s green.

I’m sending my kids away
from me, sending my kids
to attain family's force,
where rebirth breathes shared recourse.

I’m sending my girls
to a place we all love,
sending my kids to Wisconsin to grow up.

We're sending our kids away
from me, sending my kids
where true life will be felt,
out of the haze of poetic days,
where they can be free of me…

Erin Elizabeth Kelly-Moen
© Copyright 6/1/05