Happy Mother's Day

They make me say "Happy Mother's Day!"
And someone asks me
"Are you a mother?"

I tell her no,
Out of fear of judgement.
Out of confusion.

Are you a mother if you never had the chance
To hold your child
And watch them grow older?
To love them and give them the world,
As best you can?
To wipe away their tears when they are sad?

Are you a mother if you never were able
To 'be a mother'?

I don't know.

So I tell her no.