My mother’s body

                  with thanks to Marge Percy

                  circa 1994

Accessible

Hugging

in which I grew

from which I came

Mine

year to year

an earthly incarnation

of my future

the initial shame

discomfort

with being female

the eventual acceptance

joy

of

milk nourishing breasts

life giving vagina

words that encourage

hands that soothe

hands that scold

raging lungs

the voice I use

to scold my own children

a listening ear

pillowed chest

sorrowful eyes

strong hands.

            Use lotion, she

            says, noxema,

            not soap

            and don't shave

            too early

            exercise

            and

            don't just give

            your body away

            don't just give

            your self away.

My mother's body

mine for years

more of her

part of me

than I ever knew

beyond resemblance

so very basic

of her ovum did I come

of her rhythms I sing

of her dance I walk

and talk and think

and today more

joyously

I exclaim

now

in my thirty-first year

I am of my mother's body.