admirable

does not think of herself first,

for her children are what matter---

would do anything for them &

does not count herself among

anyone original in this,

figuring that

she put herself in this situation

so she must get through---

she walks with stress that

most of those around her

(who share nothing like it)

can’t imagine how she does it &

she still finds time to

beat herself up,

because the past creeps in &

it formed much of what she cannot

throw away,

even though, if that one day happened,

she would step into a

much

much

much

deserved place of peace,

which would make sense to those of us

who feel that anything remotely resembling

“justice,”

is of the shortest supply,

that is, if it exists at all

anymore

(did it ever?)---

she is admirable because she keeps it all

together,

she is admirable because though her candle is

burning at both ends,

she will not bend &

she will not break,

for she must stay strong for her children &

men have walked into her life,

leaving her alone & distraught,

and each relationship is

full of strain that bears down on everything else,

but presently she has everything in

a kind of

balance,

that frankly bewilders those of us who

may never be as strong as her &

so from us what she is due,

can only be the greatest respect,

the greatest admiration,

for she constantly

inspires.