Dear Mother

Dear Mother

when I was a baby
you held me in your arms
and rocked me to sleep
you were my world
and I wanted nothing else

when I was ten
you watched me ride my bike
and called out for me to be safe
I called you silly
but I liked the concern

when I was fifteen
I went on my first date
and you told me to call to be safe
when I came home in tears
I loved your embrace

when I was twenty
I dropped out of college
and you were sick
you didn't know how bad
but no one knew at that time

when I was twenty three
you died in my arms
as I read you a story you told me
and I cried as I was alone in the house
with your cold body

when I was a child
you told me you would be there forever
but you had to leave
and I understand
but that doesn't mean
I don't want you back

now as I grow up
I miss you all the more
because you watched me grow
and yet you still miss out on so much
of my life going forward

and now I sit
tear stains on my face
as I look through photographs
and say one last thing
'I love you, mom'