Mother, I'm Here For You

I was just an infant, unable to word my worries,

but she still there when I needed her.

I cried and waited through the nights,

and even then she was calm and patient,

cooing soft, kind words in my ears.

Several times a day I would mess up my clothes.

Still, she cleaned me up while humming a lullaby.

I grew older day by day until I was able to shout and nag;

however, my mother never left me disappointed or sad.

On her way back from shopping trips she would snatch a treat or two

to tame the beastly child that waited for her at home.

I grew, still, more stubborn and wild

until there came an age when I could finally comprehend

why my mother was solemn at times but still acted okay.

They were a happy couple, my mom and dad,

but as a kid I thought that all that mattered was that.

Oh, how wrong I was about that.

Day by day after my epiphany, I learned more and more

of the causes of my mother’s single tear I caught.

A miscarriage was one, dead parents another.

Although I knew of these happenings, I know not of their effect

on the poor, strong mother of mine.

I’ve been with her through deaths of uncles and aunts later

and have done my best to be the shoulder she’d cry on,

but my mother still thought of me as a child,

Which I was, mind you, but not in my head.

A child by age and by body structure,

But surely not by mind,

For I have seen my mother suffer through the years,

And only those moments were enough to mature my thoughts and perceptions.

I will never be old or wise enough to feel what my mother does,

But even so, I will do my best to balm her wounds.

Mother, I promise, whenever you need me, I will be there.

Mother, whenever you’re hurting, I will soothe the hurt.

Mother, wherever I am, near or far, I will listen to your complaints

even when they don’t concern me.

Mother, when you worry about me, I will ease your heart’s worries

even if I was at my worst.

Mother, I need you. I need your support. And although I know I always will

I will never complain about not getting it

because I know, dear mother,

as each day goes by, as every hour passes,

I am on your mind, in your prayers

Your kind heart, dear mother, has no space or time for unkindness.

That is how I know I need not worry for myself rather than I should you

I love you, will forever love you, and my love for you will never cease to grow.