Last-Minute Mothering

by Madison Lazenby





Here is a knife to cut your sandwich,

but first, sweetie, here is the laundry detergent

& here is how to fold a fitted sheet & here

is how to apply perfume in the spots that matter,

yes, right there, & here is how to stand up again,

here are your grandmother’s fake pearls

& my fake sapphires & here are the photos

you should keep on the wall, in your drawer,

in the pocket of your jeans to create home,

here are your jeans, ripped here & there & tight

enough for effect but loose enough

to walk & love in, here is how to walk

in socks, in sneakers, in high heels, here are high ideals

in gardens, in love, here is an eye for love & here

is an eye for men, here is your father

& here is your brother, here are hands for hands

& faces & hair, here is need &

here is want, here are ears & a bellybutton

& a tongue, please only pierce one of them, here

is your plate, sweetie, here is your hair &

eyebrows, here is a new water bottle, drink

at least two every day, & here is a fresh planner,

packed away in the trunk up to here, I can’t

see anything in the rearview, up there

I know you will find an income, excuse me,

a salary, excuse me, a living

& there, sweetie, I’m sure, you will find a lover,

here is a glass of water

& here is a napkin for your mouth & lap.





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