Today we readopted Lotus.
We filled out more paperwork.
We went to a court and a judge
smiled at our daughter
and pronounced her our daughter
now
and forever more.
When she asked,
we tried to explain?
Why?
Why did we do this?
Again?
Lotus is an American citizen
since after a flight
from China to New York
we placed her foot on the ground
Of JFK Terminal.
Lotus has been our daughter
since we dipped her foot
in red ink
and placed it on the paper
Making a blood-red footprint
that says
She is ours.
How do I tell you
My daughter,
My child,
My very own,
That our country elected a tyrant.
Who hates you?
How do I say that
I worried that
that tyrant might write
new laws. And those laws
would call
you an immigrant
and take you from me.
How do I say
that I waited because
I wanted to honor
your China Mommy.
I am saddened because
the birth certificate that
will come from the capital city
of our state
will not have her name.
All I can say
that it was for a piece of paper.
And would you like cake?
And my child will hug me.
And ask if she can
lick the beater when
we make the icing.
I say no.
We will share.
Because we are family.
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