As I wash her wrinkled sags I realise.
This is the first time I have seen her naked.
This woman who bore my flesh through hers
The flesh I wash.
This woman who cried out at birth
Whom I made cry, bitterly,
Whom I battered with indifference,
Assailed with scorn,
Let me wash you now.
Let me wash you now.
Chemo line tugging at her sunken chest.
These paps suckled me, gave me milk
Let me wash you now.
Let me wash you now.
I wash your belly that once swelled with life,
Now daubed with a knife’s cruel zip
Purple teeth agape. All ego gone, you splash
Some living water on your legs.
Your feet that carried me a thousand times
Your back that bore my taunts,
Your face that taught me tenderness.
Your arms that held me to your heart.
Your hands that comforted my brow.
Let me wash you now.
Let me wash you now.