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.
Copyright ©
Bradley Howey
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