awake
by 6am
my mother
is never late for work

takes her time

hair
pressed
outfit
fresh
cuz she know once the bell rings
someone always got a problem
concern or
(random comment about the weather)

she got no time to sit or
stand still
retreat or eat
she packs lunch
she dont have time to touch
til dinner

but me
scrambling to rise
for work
with the sun
early
monday tuesday wednesday and
(every other day -- really)

I rush through
toothbrush
shave
shower
coffee
(no cream)
no time
no lunch
cuz I gotta be at work
by 8
and packing food
would make me late so
to beat the bell
I grab the closest clean clothes
race down stairs
find my food
ready
and waiting
wrapped in a plastic safeway bag

this is love

a mother's love
will make sure you eat
even
if she don't