(a tribute to all mothers)
When loved ones go ahead of us,
people say, "They're home,
in a better place, safe from harm...."
When a child's life is cut short,
it is most often said, he, or she is "...better off that way
better dead... saved from hovering perils..."
and more comforting words
spoken softly......repeatedly
to help us cope with loss, with sorrow.
But, a mother in pain...bereft...defiant.. still asks:
"Who are we to say, a child is safer,
away from his, or her mother's loving care?"
a mother's love knows no bounds,
she would keep watch, with a vulture's eyes
until her sick child makes it through the night
she would climb any mountain
brave all that would stand in her way
just to keep her child safe, happy and contented
The life of her child is all that matters to her.
A mother feels a stab on her chest
when her child refuses her love and care
and chooses to stay away from home
how could a mother be inflicted with such immeasurable pain?
she dies a thousand times
her suffering heart is soaked in tears
it comes to a point when she cries without tears,
because, she loves without questions asked
she loves without complaining
because,
a mother's love is unconditional
a mother's love is an ocean...unfathomable
A mother's grieving heart could sometimes be blind,
in denial...cold...stubborn, in her non-acceptance,
though weary, she appears to be indefatigable,
never surrenders
even as she tries to walk on the water
even as she tries to walk, amidst the crowd...
(December 24, 2014)
Sally
Copyright December 2014
Rosalia Rosario A. Bayan
---written after reading Tonya's poem, "The Undertow."---