Mothers Day 2022 I daren’t skip this post Tongue-tied, tho’ I feel Channel all the maternal rage and love that I can muster The universe demands no less. Disrupt. Stay strong. Always love. ... When they send us flowers When they ask us to stand down Whatever the moment brings We do not depart the arena. Mourn, if we must But never quit. Personal stage ... worldwide stage Whether / whatever the *audience* ... it matters not. What counts is the depth of our commitment. Stay standing. ... This Mothers Day is a two year anniversary for me. Can I look back, now, even further With clearer vision. All those years So *progressive* Cloth-bound images Overflowing with my *courage* Artist. Subject. Object. How. A *collaboration dialogue* evolved. Me, all the while, weeping (only off-[zoom]-screen) Bewailing my loss of that in-person champagne launch MOM ... Pandemic blooms One young girl films A killing Takes TV screens by storm And our hearts. What is the opposite of Courage? Ppl fill the streets Me, too Voices hoarse behind bandana masks [What *is* the opposite of Courage?]. ... Stories spread still Of one mother's boundary-bursting available-ness Compelling a global gaze. Books fly off digital shelves. Runways beckon. Celebrating seventy on a famously soundless catwalk. Musing How, me? ... Ever shifting covid protocols Still Wearying my penchant for nonstop discussion of where I did What When With whom and Why. ... Millions of losses later From violences, both Viral and horrifically Other. I only know that I am Still here. Nurtured, held, supported and Made safe By the love and energy radiating From the arms (virtual and irl) of More family, friends, and strangers than I can *ever* Hope To adequately deserve. ... I do hope that you know #omg — who you are Chosen Family I wish the most heartfelt and healing Mothers Day To each of them who bore you into being. While some of us still struggle to reconcile that pain Here we are. Thank you, mothers. Including mine. ... RIP Jackie I finally get it. I do. Forgive you. Please. Forgive me. ... Love, always — Sis Kathy Rustee Kathleen MOM