You

Your light blue eyes that resemble your fathers and like mine, never want to rest
Your thick, golden hair that bounces with every move you make
Your imagination that is wilder than any children's book
Your big feet that stomp around the house and chase the monsters away
Your fingers that so often open the refrigerator for that last piece of cheese
Your strong legs that never stop kicking, running, walking, moving
Your arms, the way they sway as you watch your favorite show, the way they hug and wrap around my legs as I drop you off at daycare, not wanting to let go
I don’t want to let go
Your mind, constantly wondering, constantly thinking and scheming, and growing each and every day
Your voice, the most amazing sound I have ever heard, even in the middle of the night when you should be fast asleep “mama” is what I hear and “mama” is what you made me and “mama” I am proud to be.
You, Liam Hugh, Age 2

I've decided
to let you go off
into your own yesterday's
to perch upon a tree branch
where the green leaves have fallen
and the moon sits silently
watching you , caring for you
guilding you without your
knowledge of knowing
that one day in the future
you will wake up
and realise there's more to life
than the end of a rolled up
drunken cigarette.

Surrounded my family
who love me very much
who accept me for me
my heart dearly touched.
I live with the fairies
inside of my mind
but one I like
there so very kind.
Sometimes in life
it makes me feel sad
rebellious teen
has turned real bad
In all of her faults
shes just finding her way
and I just hope
the sun shines one day.
I continue to smile
and laugh out loud
helping release
this dark winter cloud.
I tell myself
where did I go wrong
have I somewhere left notes
in an unwritten song.
But braveness I bare
within my heart
to be harsh at times
for a fresh new start

Be careful
I could not bury you alone
I’d have to join you in the earth.

Keep well
I could not hold your dying hand
Without a way to take the ill.

Be strong
I could not see you on your knees
I’d have to carry you from then.

Stay happy
I could  not blot away your tears
Without outnumbering them with mine.

Stay close
I could not end my given years
Without you at my side.
ljm

How many times now has she left,
   through sorrow pain or strife;
Or has she ever turned away,
   at any point in life?

She'll always be your ONE true love,
    she's shown you love so strong;
We'll never find another love,
    that's close to love from mom!!

God placed her here to teach you things,
    to guide you with her love,
To stand by you no matter what,
   as Jesus does above!

You ran to her with wounded knee,
   she kept you safe from harm;
You learned so fast there's no one place,
    as safe as momma's arms!

And when the trials of life seem hard,
   or someone breaks your heart;
We all run home to talk to mom,
   her love will never part!

I tell mine now just all she means,
   I may have lived all wrong,
But never once you left my side,
   I LOVE YOU SO MUCH MOM!!

The bare pads
of her toes
thumped

across
the photo-faded
tiles

Fingertips
outstretched
at full attention

Precious enough
to catch
the kiss

only
mama's lips
could gift

She walked
away
slowly

taking
great
care

exhibiting
to all who
didn't know

the only thing
she knew to
treasure

There is a boy who has taken away my heart
And that boy calls me mother.