to be a mother

What does it mean 

to be a mother 

without birth or blood? 

Is it simply love,

or law,

or lifetime promises? 

What is the moment 

motherhood begins? 

Is it first sight,

or papers signed, 

or “I do”? 

Or is it a thousand moments in between,

a thousand treasured moments

the first “hello”

holding hands

giving help

building trust 

reading books 

making smoothies 

cleaning up

laughing 

crying 

leaning 

resting 

What does it mean

to be a mother? 

I think I’ll find out

as I go