my parents’ mothers

one was full of soft wrinkles

and curves for days squeezed in a tiny frame

one was full of precision

and a long, thin shape like a country backroad

both of them gave me what I needed exactly when I needed it

.

one would scoop me to the side

and hold onto me as best she could in her acute lap

one would shoo me out the door

and toward that thing I was afraid to do - or of

both of them made me realize I’m dynamic, multidimensional, loved

.

one taught me how to act like a lady

one taught me how to be a lady - that can hang with the men

both of them taught me the power

.

of mothering

of leading

of womanhood

of self

.

of comfort

in the juxtaposition

of self