mother

mother - though it may not be apparent
she is in fact the perfect image
of a soldier of love
she wakes up every day
ready for punches
she takes them,
then back she bounces.
there are but two rules
in this long time endeavor:
there is not protection
and no misdirection
you just take the blow,
you stand up for as long as you can
you occasionally fall
and most important of all
you bounce back up
if you are able at all.
don't bother to tell her
what she already knows
she will shake her head
with a smile
to minimize the importance
the vastness of this ocean
of time, energy, battles
of love.