no gym

sometimes your mother
would let you see the muscle
in her arm,
pulling back the sleeve
of her blouse
so that an enormous bulge
popped out.
all her children
would gather around her
and take their small
hands to feel this
solid rock
on her arm. comparing it
their own
puny skin and bones.
ironing, cleaning,
hanging wet clothes on
the line,
cooking, lifting
and chasing us
did wonders for her
physique.