the womb
has always been empty
but my home
has been filled up with plenty
carried life
ripened long but not ready
to become
with no hand to hold steady
i lend my back
it's strong enough to carry
you far
as the wind gods will send me
these bones
made to brave the unfriendly
that when cracked
tumble soft and mend gently
i crumble
with a softness that i've practiced
so often
like an old down feather mattress
sing your pain
down in lullaby distraction
spend the day
ducking shadows of the madness
the womb
has always been friendly
and a host
to your resentful dependency
i'm spent down
to the last copper penny
a mother i become
to have you only temporarily.