A Hole In The Sheet

By Wanda Morrow Clevenger

after our first

was born

Mom came

out one day

for the whole day

 

made stew

did some laundry

found and mended

a hole in the bedsheet

 

took note of

every little thing

asked embarrassing

questions mothers

ask daughters

at these times

 

I hemorrhaged

after the birth

was very weak

that first month

weak as a newborn

 

at the mercy

of hovering