I Am My Mother's Daughter

I sit, watching myself. 

I am starting to gray.

Across the kitchen, I yell at

my brothers to stop arguing. I

kiss my Father good-bye

as I hand him his lunch.

I flip the pancake

and let it sit - 

something I won’t be able to do

until everyone is gone.

I try to watch the news as I

prepare my brothers for school,

but realize I’ve burnt the pancake.

Hungry, I throw it away.

And with defeat in my eyes,

I look down and ask myself,

“Daughter, are you ready for school?”

“Yes, Mother.”