Mom

Tillie Powers

Class of 2024

__________

Your soul sprouted from the soil

Of the garden of your mother

In utopia

When your luscious leaves became auburn and crunchy

She watered your roots until they were garnished in green

When your soil turned to dirt

She packed you in her own nourishment so your stem would stand tall

So how could you?

Hang up the phone in the middle of her sentence

Couldn’t you understand her anger?

When you yelled at her

After she had washed your favorite sweater at 3 am for you to wear tomorrow

When it was ready in the morning

Soft on your skin and a scent of roses

Don’t you think it hurt?

That you didn’t say thank you

Why didn’t you think?

About how when you slept until noon

She was at her office downtown

Telephone in one hand and pen in the other

Each hand calloused from her briefcase handle

Your eyes were shut for a long time

Only when bugs chewed holes in your leaves did you realize

She set the bar so high

Only for so many people to lower

And lower

And lower it

So far down

So many times

Maybe she should've said

Do it yourself

Walk home

Do the dishes

Get a job

Book your appointments

And maybe you would have been better

Grounded

Stronger

Wiser

But her sunlight of love

So bright

That shone all over you

How could she not?

Do everything and anything

For the only person, she loved more than herself

One day you will understand her delusion

One day in a hail storm

You will hold your great branches over a smaller sprout

And you will do the same

How could anyone not?

For the only person they love more than their self