Mother and Slave

"I've realized something," I say to my Mother.

"If Elena lifts her shoes, I'll tie them for her.

Or I'll help clean with her; hand up a coat she gave--

Wait! But don't get me wrong--I'm a mother, not a slave!"

She laughed playfully as she washed dishes with urgence,

saying, "Mother--Slave--really, what's the difference?"