You get a Sunday ditty!
I wanted to write you a card
On Mother’s Day
And I’ll get around to it
When the baby is older
And I’m wondering
Where did the time go
It wasn’t all that bad
Was I a sleeper?
She’ll ask
When she has her own babies
That don’t sleep
And I’ll say
You know
I don’t know
I don’t remember
Because time heals
The fissures
Of sleepless nights
And knots in shoulders
From carrying teething babies
All night
And time reminds us
That this moment
Right now
Where I’m worried about my dark circles
And I’m half dressed
And without makeup
Nursing the baby
Before family comes over for a party
Is actually
Still mine
This story
Belongs to me
And if I close my eyes
And press fast forward
I’ll miss it
And further down the road
I’d trade ANYTHING
for this ordinary day
So I promise
Mom
On a day
When time lags
And we’re not shuttling babies to and fro
Or planning children’s sleepovers at your house
Or texting
“Hey doesn’t Ollie have piano right now?”
And I write back with a misspelled F bomb (in a rush!)
I promise
I’ll make time
To sit down
And fold a nice piece of paper
And string a few words together
That will never amount
To HOW MUCH YOU MEAN TO ME
and HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU.
I really hate Mother’s Day.
I think it’s lame
To have one day
To celebrate someone
I pray for everyday
Alas
Here we’ve arrived
On that one day
Though I’d like to buy you flowers
Everyday!
And make you cards
Everyday!
And just sit with you
Everyday!
Laughing about stupid things
Making art
Gardening
Shopping
Sitting on the beach
In that turquoise tide pool
Like we did
Twenty years ago
When we never imagined
We’d never have time
To write a few meaningful words down
On paper
For Mother’s Day.
I love you
Is an understatement.
You’re my hero.
Happy Mother’s Day
Everyday!
