Rest

I am resting,

on behalf of the younger version of me,

who would never rest

unless she had “earned” it.

I’m resting,

on behalf of my mother, my grandmother,

and my great grandmother,

and all the women before me,

who did not know rest.

I’m resting,

on behalf of women

who never allowed themselves rest,

or who never had the luxury

of living a life well rested.

I’m resting,

so that my daughter,

and my daughters daughters

may know what it’s like to be truly rested,

I’m resting,

so she may know

deep in her bones

she is allowed rest

just because she’s tired.