Happy Mother's Day to you all...and a special thanks to my daughter for having chosen me for her own.

INÊS

She's mine,
Mine

She's mine
I remember
Cradling
Her through
The dense veil
Of my flesh
Wondering feeling
That strange
Stirring

She's mine,

I remember
The unfolding
Blossom-hand
Petal-fingers
Most fragile
Ferocity
Of love.

She's mine,
And leaps high
In my sight
Yesterday,
For one second
I glanced aside
Just last night
And I see
She left me
Behind

She's mine,
Not mine

She's taken
The world and
Turned it
Inside out:
Petal-heart
Blossom-face
Strange ferocity
Of grace

Fragile-tensile
Strength
Of mind,
She's hers
Herself
Alone
And she
Claims me:

I am hers,
Though she
Is no longer
Mine.

Manuela Cardiga