From the collection And Don’t Come Back, published in 2021.
A Smile on Her Face
frayed-nerves iguana mom
ungainly in looks agile in pragmatism
overlooked the kookiest antics of her daughter
the frothiest flippant teenager she’d ever seen
instead she took delight in
the ultraviolet swoop of her offspring’s tail
10/7/20
Claudia McGill Writes Poetry, Did You Know That? 
I would be curious to know what inspired this poem. I find myself identifying strongly with this iguana parent.
It started out as a Little Vine with the first line and part of the 2nd, but then…I don’t really know how, this whole picture emerged in my mind, a mom who sees the good in her kid and lets her be who she is. I don’t remember if some ancient memory of my own (of this NOT happening) set me off or not, but I wanted to feel optimistic about family ties and I looked for the good and this poem happened. I do really like it, it makes me relax even now, reading it over again.
It is probably a combination of all of those things, memory, serendipity, creative inspiration. Whatever the nature of the muse, I love the poem.
I like this one, too. That iguana mom sounds like someone I’d want to have as a friend.
Me too. I wish I had been like this mom myself, I think I tried, but I am pretty sure that often it did not come off. I am very judgemental by nature, and in the past much more so. As I get older I am mellowing. Life teaches this. I think the influence of friends and relatives who are iguana moms like this is more valuable every day.
I think I was mellow and easy-going about some things and others not.