Anne's Hundred Acre Wood

 ODE TO ANNE

December 9, 2022

Headnotes:

 1) Anne’s Chinese name is Tianfei, 天菲, which is culled from the Book of Songs, Shi Jing, 詩經, the first Chinese book of poetry. It means "Heaven Scent."

 2) Anne was born with Down Syndrome and Hirschsprung’s Disease, a colon condition.

 3) Anne used to be afraid of a lot of things, including animals. She has overcome many of them, including animals, especially dogs, goats, pigs, cows, and horses, thanks to Taylor Nutterfield, her Recreational Therapist, and Samantha Miles, our friend and Anne's attendant.

 4) Namaste = " worship the god in you," guru = teacher, yurei = a haunting ghost, here used endearingly (see Annescapes).

December 9th, 1985.

What a surprise you were,

coming a whole month early.

What a surprise you’ve been,

defying everyone’s expectations.

What a surprise you are, daily.

Tianfei: Heaven Scent,

I named you, a cross-cultural pun,

thinking I knew what that meant.

So much you have taught me,

so much you have brought,

your kindness, bravery, uncompromising honesty.

Do not expect Anne to pretend --

so hard to make her pose for a picture.

Thank heavens she found the flute,

and now animals will make her smile.

Nature’s child.

Namaste,

my guru, my yurei, my love,

you are as much your own person

as any of us,

sent by no one,

truly self-made, with a little help from your friends.

No compromises, no expectations, no promises,

you are simply brave and kind!