I helped her into the tub
soaped up her washcloth
gently bathed her back
that feels so good she said
I handed the cloth to her
to finish her bath
oh yes, I also bent and washed her feet
a pitcher from the kitchen cupboard
filled with warm water
rinsed off all the soap
she carefully stepped out of the tub
holding tightly to my hands
I helped her dry off
and put on her clean housecoat
all the while I was remembering
how as a child
she bathed and dried me
she sat on a kitchen chair
facing sideways
I loosened the tiny braid
hanging down her back
and ran the comb through her thin hair
that feels good she said
once again I was a child
sitting in the kitchen chair
my hair being braided into two pigtails
my mother is frail and fragile
but not a child
and taking care of her is a gift
her grateful smile and tear-filled eyes
almost more than I can bear
an intimate exchange of places
now she’s in the chair
Nancy Perkins
June 2011
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