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 …
