to all our loving mothers’
and every caring woman—
who share generous hearts
with us and God’s creatures
who taught us how to love
in a love-forgotten world
who spread their beauty
upon nature’s own beauty
wiping tears of injustice
while struggling secretly
with their own injustices
many men seldom fathom
I stand indebted—
for without their kind touch
or gentle whispers of hope
this indefatigable universe
would melt its purpose away
and submerge its essence
into a dark—heartless pitch
smothering out every light
needed along our journey

and for their selfless sacrifice
to nurture and heal all life
it’s easy to realize why—
God created women last