Wiping Bums

looking left and right
she crosses the street
repeating the endless litany
of motherhood

take my hand
watch the light
don’t go yet
run quick
it’s turning yellow
do up your shoe
you dropped your mitt
don’t hit her
you made him cry
give it back
give it back

but who wants it back
that life that used to be?
before sticky hands left
pictures on the window
before crayons found a way
to plug the sink
before a kiss could make it better
before first smile
first step
first tiny mouth on breast
before wiping bums