it is
my mother’s birthday
today

we haven’t spoke
in a decade

yet still
i remember

if that were all
i could recall
perhaps
her i would call
but in stubbornness
born
of self protection
from the one
from which i was born
shall remain
a cast off
crucible
a raised scar
on soft pink flesh

happy birthday
thanks for carrying me
to term

your grandchildren
barely know
you exist