Why I Love My Mother

earth and ocean warm water warm

towel her hands rubbing sunscreen on

my shoulders warm towels we washed

and folded every day of life earth

earth kneeling to grasp the green

beans canning them steam and sweat a thousand

thrift shop dresses steam in our faces

laughing laughing mountain—

starshower grandmother earth

and ocean volcano fear and

fury hurricane tulip sidewalk

skipping—break her back—

hold her hand walk on

her spine lay down pine

and maple cloud and

dolphin darkness sunrise—

moon and moon and moon—