My Mother's Child

You can never be ready, she said I wasn't what you expected. Listen, No one told me "postpartum depression" Until I saw you in the kitchen With my baby sister at your feet, White hot tears, A savage grief, Out of nowhere. I was told to go play with my dolls. Listen, I thought it was my fault, So I hid in my dark closet. Listen, When you couldn't care for us I watched for you each day With blue-brown eyes, mix of two loves, Seeing your ghost, The shadow of your blue coat, In the window, In the swirling, aching, endless snow At the edge of winter. Listen. I am forever my mother's child.