It took many mothers
to make this meager man.
Caring, chastising, comforting in turn.
Mothers from many cultures.
Mothers from many continents.
Occidental, Oriental, African.
Mothers all,
transcending biology,
or logic,
or happenstance.
Mothering just because.
Joan
Busaba
Atlene
Strong gracious flowers
whom I hold in heart and regard.