for mother*

the first thought
you have for the world
beats you
to the punch.

you are so light
two people
have to be in bed
with you-
one to hold you
and one to hold a feather
(that way)
it won’t matter
who falls asleep
second.

no one is in the room
you come into.

your mother is alone
in a desert
at night
looking
for a black dot
when her water
breaks-

then, gospel singing
in your gospel-singing
voice.