After my wife's delivery
her mother cooked a special diet
of herbal soups, pork,
sesame oil... a balance

of heating and cooling foods,
to drive out the fong,
to strengthen my wife's
weakened body.  The thick aroma

hid other scents.  My wife was not
allowed to wash her hair
for a month.  Forget bathing.
She sponged herself,

but sneaked showers in
when her mother wasn't around.

Years later, my mother-in-law
still asks, Aren't you grateful
that I was here to help?

Aren't your wife and child
healthy?  I nod.  One
can't argue with

results.