I Am Mother

  
I am Mother 
I have been told I am a good cook 
but I wouldn't really know 
I eat what no one else wants, 
the last of the pickin's 
and the slightly burnt food 
and usually mine is cold 
for by the time I've served everyone 
and sat down for my own meal 
they're all calling for desert! 

I am Mother 
I am fluent in sign language 
for things such as "put your bike helmet on 
or you're going to be grounded" 
or " get down off there 
or I will GET you down!"; 
I have perfected "The Look", 
and a strange form of gibberish 
that tho' no one understands it, 
stops them in their tracks anyway! 

I am Mother 
My clothes are probably five years old 
I wear the same shoes; 
the same winter coat, 
but my kids get new things 
at least three times a year. 
I do without so that they have what they need 
and when I do go shopping for myself 
I feel guilty spending money on ME 
and shop at the cheapest stores in town! 

I am Mother 
I can fix anything, or so they think, 
from a ripped bear, to a tire on a bike. 
I can hammer nails for their pictures, 
and replace their light fixture; 
search all over the Net 
for those hockey pics they want; 
or help with their homework, 
and give them that "little extra" boost, 
and type up their projects til all hours of the night! 

I am Mother 
they think I am a taxi driver. 
Take them to school and to scouts 
to music and sports; or to their best friend's 
then pick them up when they're finished, 
and drive some other friends home! 
They've rented a movie..."Return it please Mom?" 
And then while I'm at it, 
they want to go to the store, 
... "you got money Mom?" 

I am Mother 
I stay up all night 
so that they may sleep 
watching over their fever, 
wiping their runny nose; 
talking through their nightmare; 
or just holding them close 
when there's nothing more I can do. 
but no matter how tired I get; 
without them I'd surely weep!
sept 2001