I Loved You Before You were Tame

before you knew
I was your mother
after the confusion,
before the trust

I wrapped
my arms
tight
my legs
entwined
yours
holding you
down
no way
to hurt
you, me

I loved you
when you were wild
when the bottom
was unreliable
I coaxed
the crooked way
straight,
tried to make
the rough places
plane

This day,
much later
we sit in
kitchen aglow
you laugh
at the stories
of then

oh then
was different
time

(cc) Karen G. Johnston