April Anthology 2018: Jo and Dan

(suddenly wondering - Alcott, Little Women and Little Men, AU. Dan as a girl.)

You knew she was trouble when you saw her face -

The same kind of trouble you could have been.

All dark-eyed fire and wild hair

She would never put up like a “proper” woman,

Phoenix’s ashes and city street rage

On the steps of the schoolhouse -

You couldn’t look away.

You knew she was trouble,

For your students and your tiny world -

Knew she was a tinder-box.

Knew she was kind.

Mothered your boy through that fierce “make it right"ness,

Protected him with word and wit and fists -

Protected the lost soul with the violin.