The mother sacrifices

nothing less

than herself

for her child.

He is her cup,

and whether it be filled

with her love

or her rage,

her hope

or her fear,

she pours into it

all

that she is,

all of her vagary,

her reverie,

and everything

she once wished

to become

pause

for this new life

exquisitely full

of all the blessed hope

and promise

of the unwritten page.

© 2011