Through My Mom’s Eyes, I Realize, A
Mother’s Truth
When I was born, tiny and red-faced
Hair-matted, crying like a kitten
She loved me, gently laid on
Her chest
Skin to skin
Heartbeat born of her heart
She hugged me tight yet light
Protectively, her hand laid over
My palm-sized head
Silent vows sung as lullabies
“You are perfect in my eyes
I guide your hand
& dry your tears.
Calm your worries
& tone down your fears.
I’ll walk with you.
Even run and jump.
Play hide ‘n’ seek.
Swallow down the lump”
The one that grows and swells and stings the back of her
eyes
Salt water for a seaborne daughter, she bites back
Her pride
Her own fears she has to hide
Of letting go
Of letting on
That she’s making this up
As she goes along
This game of motherhood is new
The rewards are plenty, the instructions few
Just the biggest one
To keep me safe
From harm
From pain
From herself
She fights against her inner voice
As I grow older and walk along
A path I pave with each new day
As I grow into who she and I made
She wants to hold me tight and safe and near
That letting me grow and leave
Is her giant fear
But as far as I wandered
I always came back
Tied not by umbilical cords or guilt or duty
But heartstrings, tethered me to her
Anchored her to me,
She became more, so much more
An infinity
Not just mother but my best friend
A love that even death can’t end
