Before daybreak today
I heard their nervous flutter-breaths
The false adages
For, they knew — they always knew
Today I would abandon them
To save myself
Awakening
To fears, that wished I’d believe I was late
Or not good enough to show up in the first place
Back-talking
To Lies, that tried to infiltrate my wake-up thoughts
Would I recognize today was mine to do with as I pleased?
The gods allowed me sleep yester-eve’
The calendar delivered colors this morn’
Thus, my green eyes
Beheld true-blue skies
And animals came to instruct me
Before daybreak today
With prophetic vision
All the women
In the family
Mothers and daughters
Cousins and nieces
With pets present
Met in unison
Tethered their souls
Gathered their wisdom
Shared bad meals
Cried then laughed
Rolled up sleeves
Studied the data
Examined their hearts
Consulted with God
Exhaled a “Yes”
Cleaned the mess
Moved some mountains
Saved the world
Then slept soundly
Why then, the pool of flesh on the floor?
Why then, the hearkening back
Again and again and again?
Linoleum and helplessness
And bargaining
The feel of it all
On my knees
My shoulders, still
A Mother’s love
It’s why I breathe, still
I answer
What is the name of that road? The spirit and purpose of it? The one we approach, day in and day out, without hesitation?
Familiar with the smell of it, the distractions, attractions and tourist traps along the way, but unsure, in the dark, where to turn when it’s time, finally time, for a rest stop.
Trust, we must, the touch. The feel of our wheels we were gifted, from The Road of all roads, The Mother.