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.