Before I became “Mother”

Worry was just a word

Sleep meant long, peaceful nights

Didn’t need fairytales, lullabies or sweet lies

Before I encountered motherhood

Tiny fingers wouldn’t tug at my heart

Someone else’s pain couldn’t make me die

Toothless grins didn’t light up my universe

Before I was “Mom”

I never gave unintended pain

My quiet did not bury unspoken words

And I didn’t hear another’s scream in silence

Before motherhood

I was neither loved as deeply, nor resented so

I could dream of perfection

Or just dream

Happy Mother’s Day to me

With a gift of each and every day

I’ll be “Mom” even when I no longer am

And my heart will live and live and live ...