Hairspray and Musk
A scent of love, of home, of security
The sound of a curling iron
Calming and natural
Short highlighted hair slipping through with each sound
Piercing blue eyes watching over their only child,
Love flowing through them to the child who wished she had them.
Hands separating the long hair of the young girl
Gently braiding her hair for school
The girl smiled at her mother
An exact replica smiled back
Little hands wrapped themselves around her neck
Warm arms encircled the young girl
Tighter and tighter, pulling her closer
Homey and comfort
The hug of a mother
My mother


Medicine and mashed peas
A scent of uneasiness, of fear, of wrongness
The sound of an IV pole
Metal and unnerving
A shaved head hid out under a blue knitted cap
Tired eyes showing gratitude to their caregiver
Admiration at the strength of the woman she was giving care
Weak hands resting on young shoulders for balance
Leaning on someone else for a change
The woman’s smile lit up her face
An identical one smiled back
Dependent hands closed themselves around the caregiver
Smaller hands clasped the woman
Harder and harder they held on to each other
Warmth and courage
The hug of a friend
My best friend
My mother

Pine and flowers
A scent of memories, of remembrance, of visiting
The sound of foot falls
Walking across the lawn
Long dark hair covering a bowed head
Cloudy brown eyes stared at the bronze stone,
Realizing the only thing that signifies the blue eyes woman was here.
Hands reaching down to the cold marble,
Remembering the vague memories.
The girl smiled at her mother.
A picture of an exact replica smiled back.
Not-so-little and outstretched themselves in the breeze.
Unseen arms molded around the girl.
Closer and closer she felt,
Chills running through her.
The hug of an angel
My angel
My best friend
My mother