ten years of apple sweet diapers

taking up space

crammed birthday beds

clamouring for a breast

the racket must have silenced parades, pundits

did you feel the whispers from the pavement

pressed with thousands

you rocked the house instead

the church

the schools

the city is still singing

you missed your toes five times over

built tall people, ideas

colour on the plate

straight spines

music in the walls

fair not equal

in the photos your face is unpinched

your pretty clothes stitched

style mocking the swollen belly

your smile radiates through all my dreams

burning hope

she’s got get-up-and-go 

I can still hear the metronome ticking

as I brush my teeth in time.

from Holding Glass

copyright © Anne Langford

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

Receiving the Caring Canadian award from former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson