mother

she is

behind a camera

in the printed photo, a baby laughs

their dark pupils gaze

across the lens, across the flash

a teeth-showing smile

behind a spork

dancing steam is blown with five breaths,

cooled

clumsy humming is the background music for

a launch off

behind a bicycle

wheels wobble side to side

a few inches away from

trees, street lamps, barking dogs, and grinning strangers

never falling

behind a door

three knocks holding a plate

of sliced apples, oranges, watermelons

a bite is a bite of love

a swallow is a swallow of love

behind a window

a loud rumble pushes it away

the car, bus, airplane

hands wave, bright beams of reassurance

greeting goodbye

in prayers of safe travels

turning behind

time left fingerprints

near tips of eyes, lips, the neck

memories linger underneath

rougher palms and cracked heels

she is now

underneath the tree

which fed on her youth,

the shadows large enough

to cover fallen leaves

the flesh from her seeds

still growing