The Last Six Years: A Letter

The Mother I Never Deserved: A Letter (Edited)

11:11 PM

Colours adorned a two-story building Where I dreaded and cried. You combed my curly hair into braids; You told me I would make new friends; A woman, sending her child to kindergarten.

The blue skies were bright one fine day When flour stained your rosy cheeks, I stared at myself in the mirror, turning ten; I stared at you in the kitchen, over fifty; A woman, preparing her child’s birthday.

At the end of the year I turned twelve I walked on a stage while you wept, You were so proud, you thanked me; You were so proud, you held me; A woman, witnessing her child’s success.

At fourteen my smiles were gone, The sky turned grey, the earth stopped spinning. You lay there, static; You lay there, breathless; I watched them lower you into the ground.

Today, I’ve lived for two decades, Three hundred miles from you. Tell me ma, would you come visit When the skies are back to blue?