Artwork © Robert Fleming

 

when a daughter becomes a mother a mother is gone

Adam taught you to apply red lipstick not to smudge
named you & fitted your first wig
forgot that mother taught you to turn
on the run-way without tripping?
Adam quite a man down there
mother modeled where to curve your tuck
scolded you to not be a bitch
on mother’s day still waiting for
a new pair of high-heals
Anita you have your own house &
left mother to brush her 20-year blue Cher wig 100 times

 

Robert Fleming lives in Lewes, DE. Published in United States, Canada, England, Ireland, and Australia. Member of the Rehoboth Beach and Horror Writer’s Association. Wins: 2022 San Gabriel Valley CA-1 poem, 2021 Best of Mad Swirl poetry; Nominations: 2 Pushcart Prizes and Best of the Net.