“The Arms of Your Mother” (2022) By Rachel Sumner
The day you were born
Seemed like any other
No heralding horns
Just a ring from my brother
So I grabbed my keys
Burnt my legs on the seat
And drove the two hours
Just to meet ya

I gave them our name
At the visitor's desk
They pointed the way,
Pinned a tag on my chest
I wandered the ward
Till I found the right door
And through it I heard
Your mama singing

"My arms may grow weary
But I'll never tire
Of cradling you in my arms
I know it's possible
To love well beyond
The limits our
Imperfect bodies
Have placed on us
I'll hold you close
Each moment I can
The arms of your mother
Are always at hand"

I remember the nights
I'd come by for dinner
You were a sight
With your markers and glitter
It was hellos and hugs
Then I'd help you wash up
As she'd fill our plates
At the table

And when it got late
We'd take to the sofa
You'd start to fade
While your mama would hold ya
We'd switch to a whisper
For you, Dear Little Drifter
And softly your mama’d
Start singing

And she was so grateful
When your car pulled in
She turned so frail
So fast
You held her at last
You held her last
And sang