Choice
She did not know my name,
Hugged me all the same.
Looked to my mother for validation,
Is this one mine?
I accept whatever she offers,
Resist the impulse to hold too tightly,
Crush her to my chest,
Weep for the woman she used to be.
It may be late
And from now on
She always gets to choose
When she is held
When she is freed.