Dear Mother

For Dwina, in celebration of Talia's graduation from high school. Dear mother, warm around me-- tender home for just this while; so close together, you and I I feel good when you smile. Dear mother, here you've brought me to this world so vast and bright; oh, hold me close, protect me and we'll rest here, for the night. Dear mother, I'm so hungry-- right away, oh will you please? I ache and pain and need you so... oh hurry, desperately! Dear mother, play with me awhile a patty-cake or three; again, again, just one more time-- oh mommy, play with me! Dear mother I am frightened; there's more out there than I knew! But standing tall beside me, 'not so scary, thanks to you. Dear mother, must I do this, all this work and just this way? 'But this is hard' I tell you; 'So, together, then' you say. Dear mother, you have taught me oh, so very many things; choices 'yes' and others 'no'-- to plan the ends they bring. Dear mother, now, I'm ready to go out there...on my own! (well, maybe just a little ways-- not too, too, far from home). For home is where I'll find you shining bright, to guide my way; with tender words and wisdom made to get me through the day. Dear mother, now I see you for the hero that you are; a quite medal winner: without contest, without star. Dear mother, oh, I thank you, for these things you are to me-- from chance at life beginning, to the one I'm off to be. To see the world so vast and bright to choose the ends I see; but always there--inside my heart: Dear mother, you will be.