down but not broken

weak but not perished

stained scarred marred torn and cut

but here

here for me

not broken, nor maimed, not torn – in spirit

knowing hands adorned with glitter

hands that still my heavy sobs

heal my wounds, so small

steady my breathing

your flooded chest

my eyes drown

gentle hands still

no eruption

no great burst of light nor dark

just you, me

breathing

alive

she is alive

my mother.