I saw my mother in her bra
once,
the day her heart rose up indignant,
seized—
and brought her to her knees

She stood tincture in hand
lifelong faith in earth’s medicine
she still believed it would ease,
loosen the vice grip
(not this time)

That day I remembered—
saw her soft turtle body under the certainty
the marble godliness, life’s layers hardened into
a bullet proof vest—
I was held to that heartbeat
once,
I needed that skin like food
She was held to a heartbeat
once,
she needed that skin like food
You were held to a heartbeat
once,
you needed that skin like food

If I close my eyes in morning sun
I hear it still—
in the rhythm of the rain
silent sway
quiver of wing
lingering
deep ocean drum
seedling hum—
earth’s heartbeat