Mama, I Love You

You worked double shifts

Came home

Shoes in your hand

Cold food on the stove

But you still asked how I am

You laughed when you’re tired

Hid your tears in the sink

Taught me how to listen

Before I learned to think

Mama

I love you

More than these small words can say

For every quiet miracle

You pulled from an ordinary day

Mama

I love you

From the boy in all my grown-up plans

I made it here because

You held my shaking hands

You patched up my jeans

And the holes in my pride

Sat next to my failures

Never moved from my side

You saved all my drawings

Like they hung in some great hall

Said

“One day you’ll go further”

While I stared at your old walls

Mama

I love you

More than these small words can say

For every quiet miracle

You pulled from an ordinary day

Mama

I love you

From the boy in all my grown-up plans

I made it here because

You held my shaking hands

I see your face

When I look at my own

Every good part of me

Is a seed that you’d sown

If I ever get it right

It’s your voice in my mind

Saying

“Take your time

You’ll be fine

You’ll be fine” (mm)

Mama

I love you

More than these small words can say

For every quiet miracle

You pulled from an ordinary day

Mama

I love you

Till the last light leaves the sky above

You’re my first

My forever

My one

Unshaken love