The Mother's Heart

THE MOTHER'S HEART

We move through a world in endless labor,

The pains of birth formidable.

Mortality’s our constant neighbor—

The mother’s heart comprehends.

A delicate disconnect pries at our days.

Implausible woe is commonplace.

All dance the harrowing ballet—

The mother’s heart comprehends.

Putative virtue alleviates fears:

Their children—our children—my child—myself.

Sight so unsighted, we persevere—

The mother’s heart comprehends.

The floods of this earth do rival the fire;

A blessing, our time is ephemeral.

Each man, a babe once, sinless sire—

The mother’s heart comprehends.