I wish I missed my mother
and joined this milestone
of loss with all the other daughters
flooded with longing
for some maternal arms
finding joy instead of alarm
at genetic reminders in the
faces and gestures of my relations.

There was a disturbance in my force
the day I learned my mother died.

I drew one deep vestal breath
and exhaled into the
first fearless moment of my life
while I bid her
farewell.