Mistaken Identity

About ten years ago, these incidents actually happened.  No one died, but it was a near thing.

Mistaken Identity

"No, I am not his mother!"
I said
As the woman pointed, insisting
that my son was on the beach
Just there

It was her third declaration
Followed by my third denial
although
No cock would crow.
on this late summer afternoon
Because I didn't deny truth
as Peter had

As my husband walked under the trees along the shore
I looked at his ageless face
and wondered what changes
had made my own seem so old.

This had happened before,
Just weeks before
A customer buying dinner,
But he was
more easily convinced
and embarrassed.
once he heard my terse denial

Today, under bright sun
I could not convince
this strong-willed
tactless woman
Never truly brought to believe
that I knew spouse from son

Anger and laughter
ran side by side
Until laughter won,
For the moment

But with only four years difference
even with black hair
no silver thread at all
And unlined face,

How could I look so alike,
to be his blood kin,
yet so much older
How did they see such resemblance,
yet such difference.
as if I had been
transformed, chameleon-like
to accommodate him
And given up my youth and self
to make the change