If You Asked About Motherhood…

I would tell you

about the essence of baby,

the corn silk hair,

the soggy fingers,

the warm breath.

I would tell you

about nights

wrapped in worry,

drenched with mother-think;

as you’re convinced

jewels that precious

don’t exist.

I would tell you

how no two are alike,

but, when they

like each other,

nothing is better.

I would tell you about

squeezing your eyes tight

to obviate some disaster

after it almost was

but never should

have been.

I would tell you

how to suffer

someone else’s pain

more than they

feel it;

how to

relish every witty word

and warm embrace

and strain to make them stick

as they wash over you.

I would tell you how

to mend yourself

when your lifeblood

grows and tears away

bit by bit,

leaving you in pieces.

And,

I would promise you

someday

you’ll find them underfoot

when you least expect them

back.

***