CONSIDERING MOTHERHOOD
I.
Neurotic when I walk
translating songs to Spanish
to practice
to focus
to proceed
tapping barely known notes
of Ode to Joy joyful joy
childhood patterns
I smile often
on my own
II.
I imagine waking at four am wondering
if the imagined you is breathing next door
I have never been one for fine print
direction manuals and to think
this might lead to that stopping
perfect breath
How will I take it all in?
III.
My head will spin
your face permanently plastered across my eyes
a surgical lens
I will not see more
I will see more?
I will see something
IV.
How do you learn this?
It is in the tune I hear
a child practicing the flute
an apartment or two away
This is happening now
V.
One night I will wake up
at the small cough down the hall
sense the smells through the walls
VI.
Love will lead not follow
love will be, not become
No norm to love
because their yours
Like nothing that is tangible
this love will come