MOTHER

MOTHER

I have lived

spread across the bathroom tile

for decades watching the wrinkles beneath

your frown

              sink deeper into your skin

I call you by name – 

          but mother, 

        you feel so cold.

    mother,

                    my lips are trembling blue.

I feel you

    avoiding my eyes / his eyes

years that could have been

    haunt you in this mirror for two

tears coloring the floor – 

    mother, 

      do you like this shade of…

                       your pain / the name you gave me

    mother,

      you made me. 

I died there

        glazed over / second thought

         ceramic will not beg for forgiveness – 

                        Tell me,

do I feel cold beneath you,

                  mother?