Pay the Mothers

Pool the money
of all the billionaires
and multimillionaires
and with it pay all mothers each
the 400,000 dollars a year in unpaid labor we earn
as everyday cook,
maid, teacher, trash collector,
taxi service, bookkeeper, motivator, nurse,
counselor, waitress, mediator, coach,
consultant, domestic administrator.

Collect all the fame,
awe, respect, authority and attention
lavished
on star athletes and supermodels
and elevate mothers
to that same
pinnacle
of great deserving heights
by giving us therapeutic massage
when we’re injured,
letting us sit the bench
at least a few minutes out of the game
and letting us cash in on our endorsements
of non-violence, whole foods, organic gardening,
attachment parenting and peace.

After all, we baked that apple pie--
Isn't it time we get a slice of it?

--Diana Tigerlily