This is What I Learned About Motherhood.

That it is always a circus.

That there are plates spinning
and occasionally one falls.

That climbing through all the hoops
takes patience you may not possess.

That sometimes plumed horses
turn wild and buck and kick,
but they remain beautiful.

That some days the best you can do
is put one foot in front of the other
and not look down.

That there are always clowns and hecklers.

That the drama may be in the fingertip catch
but the real skill is knowing when to let go.

That spandex and sequins and make-up
can help disguise tears.

That balance is everything.

That contorting your body into the smallest space
can be difficult and painful
but beats getting cut in half.

That when the knives are flying you need to keep still.

That there will always be blood and sawdust.