My Mother's Fingernails

My grandmother’s fingernails were thin

Mine are thick

Our child’s are tough

My mother’s fingernails need cutting

When our child was tiny, I panicked when

Trying to cut those tiny nails

Trying so hard not to draw blood

Most of the time successful

I trimmed my own all of my life

Only a few manicures and pedicures

Ever. I have never cut my mother’s

Fingernails, until today

Her stroke impaired her vision

Prompted confusion at times

Her walking unsteady, 

Independence no more

I now water her plants 

Retrieve her mail, pay her bills

I have never cut my mother’s

Fingernails before

I notice they look different 

From before, longer, untrimmed

Not as clean as usual

Unpolished as always

I ask her if I can cut them for her

She nods and I begin

Recalling the panic with our child

Breathing deeply and fully this time

Without injury

Without suffering

I trim her nails

Delighted, no blood

My tears finally flow

This cycle of life business

I have always heard about

I am now living

My mother took care of me

All of my life

Now, it is my turn and

I treasure this time with her