How We Love Our Mothers by Charlotte Cosgrove

I used to get scared when my mother fed the seagulls at the beach

They would lift her up by the arms of her jacket -

Give her quilted wings.

She would dangle

From their prism shaped beaks

As if she were washing

Ready to be pegged on the line.

Even though I voice my concern

She still feeds them, fearlessly

As bold as the birds

Not understanding

I know

She could die.

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Charlotte Cosgrove is a poet and teacher from Liverpool, England. She is published in Trouvaille Review, Dreich, The Literary Yard as well as other places. She has work forthcoming in multiple journals and anthologies. Charlotte was recently shortlisted for the Julian Lennon prize. She is Editor of Rough Diamond Poetry.