Hindsight 20 20
“I’ve seen love from both sides now”
1.
Self-absorbed youth, I failed to recognize,
Maternity’s most relentless enterprise.
I didn’t see sacrifices she made,
Tireless efforts decade after decade.
Her care for all of us in every way,
On a daily basis in full display,
Her patient, selfless love a constant state -
Should have been easy to reciprocate.
I acknowledge in shameful disbelief,
We often gave our mother stress and grief,
Not her well deserved ultimate respect -
I’d like to take it back, in retrospect.
I remember my wicked teenage genes
When my privileged life “sucked” by all means.
I blamed the world for who I couldn’t be,
While all along my mom was there for me.
So I left my childhood’s familiar nest
To pave my path with eager youthful zest.
No second thought on memories to dwell -
The sadness in mom’s eyes I couldn’t tell.
2.
No longer am I in juvenile bliss,
Mom’s tender presence terribly I miss.
I am now in maternal enterprise,
I see it clearly through my mother’s eyes.
I’m glad her loving role rubbed off on me,
Secretly hope my kids won’t fail to see.
And if at times they won’t reciprocate,
I’ll let them feel my constant caring state.
I comfort them as they are tots and teens,
I’d keep them close forever by all means.
Yet like my dear mother wiser I am -
No matter where they go I stand by them.
Embracing all my children by my side,
I share family past with poignant pride.
Though their nurturing grandmother is gone,
Her legacy of selfless love lives on.
The day I left my home I won’t forget,
The lack of empathy I though regret.
So many thoughts of memories to dwell -
The sadness in mom’s eyes I couldn’t tell.
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