What Motherhood Does to the Body

Your belly will stretch

to fit the world and all its thunder.

Lightning will strike your skin.

Your breast will burn. The fire

purifying the quiet moonlit minutes 

until they are holy.

Your bones will strengthen under the weight 

of a purpose beyond themselves.

The weight is heavy to bear.

Your hair will burden you.

Tugged and twirled through little fingers– but you keep it.

It’s the same color as theirs.

Your feet will unerringly follow

exploring footsteps– until with a crash

they move quicker than you knew they could.

Your eyes will stare at the brightest light  

and gratefully harbor its reflection.

They’ll never look away.