I'm old enough now
I'm going to do things differently
with my granddaughter
always be honest with her
not as if

she were God, who sees everything
nor Big Brother China
And no self-censorship
of cut off thoughts
or forbidden fantasies

Nor learning safe habits
that might find approval
in her eyes, but
being trustworthy
being open, myself

because even the smallest
secret has complications
and could she be too young
to learn that? And to learn
that people are not saints?