Mother's Day

The whir of the coffee grinding downstairs

The morning begins with a stirring baby

A resting mother

A feeling of heaviness

But hopefulness also

Balloons, pancakes, cards and messages from friends,

From her dad

You’re a great mother

They all say

But how do you know? She wonders

How do I believe it?

Tears fall outside on the back porch alone

Birds chirp

And clouds move overhead

The coffee is hot

And inside, her children are laughing