My Mother Demanded Gratitude

Josephine Yu

Bone-ache signaled growth, 

 height a sure thing. 

Hiccups? The lungs' desire 

 to fulfill their contract with the body. 

Stubbed toe, throbbing funny bone, 

 leg of pins and needles --

even a toothache, a blessing: 

 "If it hurts, it's not dead." 

Any pain better than none, better 

 than the nerves' apathy. 

And so she bubbled with laughter 

 when the car window closed 

on my fingers or a camera swinging 

 from her chest clocked my forehead 

as she picked me up, her joy boiling 

 over my pained but breathing body.