Now I can’t write about sex
Because I am a virgin
And I can’t write about giving birth
Because I’ve never been pregnant

Now I can’t write about the love of a mother
Because I’ve never had a child
And I can’t write about letting a baby bird take wing
Because I’ve never raised one

Now I can’t write about losing my son
Because no one can know how that feels
And I can’t write about a mother’s grief
Because there are no words strong enough to express it

But I can write about loving my mother
Because that’s what I’ve done my whole life
And I can write about being grateful
Because she’s given me hers