Mother

I watch the sadness in your eyes
Speckles of blue and grey, splintered
Over the years
From all the pain you’ve
Hidden, from the world.
And I realise that finally it just became
Too much, and exploded.
The shrapnel in your beloved eyes,
Mother.

I watch the aching in your hands
Freckled and trembling, worn
Over the years
From all the love you’ve
Held onto, so tightly.
And I realise that you were so afraid
To let it go, you broke it.
The splinters in your beloved hands,
Mother.

I watch the caution in your step
Slow and tired, weathered
Over the years
From all the burdens you’ve
Carried all alone.
And I realise that if you hadn’t
We wouldn’t have been able to.
The frailty in your beloved step,
Mother.

I watch the acceptance in your smile
True and forgiving, fashioned
Over the years
From all the broken dreams you’ve
Had to give up.
And I realise that in time we all
Will learn to let go of the past.
The sincerity in your beloved smile,
Mother.

I watch the brilliance of your mind
Sharp and overwhelming, suffocated
Over the years
From all the times you’ve
Been kicked down.
And I realise what strength it must have taken
To pick yourself up again.
The beauty in your beloved mind,
Mother.

I cry over all my scars - hurt that you
Have endured in my place. Numbed
Over the years
From all the fresh wounds
Of your own.
And I realise what you have given up
Without complaining.
A debt I can never repay,
Beloved Mother.