I knew your face so well
when I look now I remember every cell
it’s smooth, your porcelain skin
so smooth, and fine, and thin
the hairs of your eyebrows perfectly plucked
you beauty spot, made more beautiful, made up
your green eyes, sharp, ponds of worry
your hands hard, cut and worked, always in a hurry
the hollow of your neck, the soft pigeon of your chest
your long legs and heavy feet, walking quickly
we had to run after you, up the street
we carried bags, they made us strong
and we followed along, in rain, sun and song
like duckings behind you
our mother