MOM

Long time ago, by the fire,

My mom told a story to me.

She asked me to listen closely,

As such story I didn’t for myself see.

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She told me, this is story of passion,

A story of divining love,

But one that warns of caution

And of feelings I one day will have.

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She told me of my father

And not of ways they quarrelled,

Like she usually tells.

She told of love they nourished

And the deep feelings they had.

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How he carried her on shoulders

Through the white mid-winter snow,

Of how he was the source of her laughter

And of how his love he has shown.

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How he paid for their first supper

By secretly ponning his watch

And purposed shortly then after

So, to others she won’t be lost.

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She has told me of years of happiness

Long after which I was born,

Their parties and childish carelessness’s

Their best years, to me she had sworn.

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Their travels across the country,

More cities than she cared to count.

Her immense joy and excitement,

When they first left the USSR.

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The shock of the western culture

When she arrived in East Berlin.

Still behind the iron curtain

But with more opportunities

Than she had ever seen.

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She talked about weeks in the city

Working, taking care of her son

Newly born, loud and bitty,

Waiting

For my dad from the army return.

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She told me of beautiful love

Which sadly I haven’t seen,

As they amicably split apart

Before the memories of this world

My mind could conceive.

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Before my father hurt her with betrayal

And 20 years of marriage fell apart.

Before my standard family, turned frail

And crumbled

‘Normal’ changed. Came a new start.

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For years I have quietly wondered

How created from failed love,

Can a being truly accomplish

Deeds regarding the heart?

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Through this long beautiful tail,

Sore soul wounds have silently healed,

As I knew that their love never perished

It just slowly evolved and faded.

Not failed nor disappeared.

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Since then, she has taught me life lessons

That no one else ever could.

But her wisdom, till now

I often dismissed or misunderstood.

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She taught me to be independent,

Stand up for myself from an early age.

To never spend time pretending

That my life is someone else’s stage.

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She taught me the value of friendship

Always surrounded by family friends,

Not just Christmas or summer vacations,

Though all, good and bad times.

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I grew up with a strong, single mother

With 3 kids and a demanding job

Who commuted an hour or further,

And still made a point to show up.

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Every day, my mom told me she loved me.

Every day she kissed me good night.

And that love has kept me nourished

Made sure I’ll grow up happy and kind.

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Her strength kept us protected

Still does and will for the rest of my life.

As I am her only daughter,

I must also have strength inside.

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She allowed me to pursue what I wanted,

No pressure, no judgement, just care.

Most decisions she fully supported

To my secrets she listened and kept.

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Now, I’ve grown

Moved away from my country

Stepping out from her shielding wing,

Soo exited to be my own person

But her lessons still in my head ring.

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Helping me with day to day choices,

Guiding me to a better path,

Her wisdom is scattered in pieces

As sub-conscient reminders,

In the back of my mind.

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Now she is living her life so carefree.

New adventure with every new day:

Climbing mountains, sailing across seas,

Travelling in a fun disarray.

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Every day she keeps me inspired,

Who she was, who she is or will be,

Never tamed, always doing what she desires,

Taking risks with no guarantee.

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So, although her love story has ended

A new stage of her life has emerged,

Through divorce she has further ascended

Once through this challenge she surged.

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As a kid I was bitter and angry

For never seeing my parents in love

Now, I am nothing but grateful,

For her strength,

Which was more than enough.