I Feel Different

　　"What are you thinking about?" I asked her.

　　"My youth," she said.

　　Nickel grinned.

　　"Like now?" he asked.

　　Flora shook her head.

　　"I feel different."

　　"You are different," I said. "You've been brave.You wrote a note and left it for your mother. You kept us in good food for nearly five days."

　　I thought of Sylvan's students, romping through life like puppies——young people trying to write their way into adulthood.

　　"Do you remember when I was born?" Flora asked Nickel.

　　"I do. I wanted a guinea pig."

　　"Do you remember when you are young?" Flora asked me.

　　"I'm not sure my memories are like yours. I remember Sylvan most because he gave me words for my memories. Before that I remember moments, but I had no words for them."

　　Flora lifted her shoulders and sighed.

　　"I think I feel different because I have worries. I never had worries before now."

The Poet's Dog, P55-56
Patricia MacLachlan
ISBN 978-0-06-229262-9