tonight I long to be the child
curled up in her mother’s hug
hands intertwined with love’s simple cure:
a soft kiss on the forehead

I ask the stars
to let me fall asleep
with her sweet song in my ear
tonight her voice is all that I want to hear

I long for peace and rest
now that I cannot fight any longer
I run to the gentle hands of my mother
to sob,
to be free from my thoughts
and all kinds of fears
from the rudeness of the shadows
that walk behind me from dusk to dawn

I rest my head on her shoulder
and lay my heavy heart
her warmth accepts my weakness
only with her do I unveil my secrets
for she listens without judgment
she knows my pain
even when my lips are sealed

she plays her lullaby,
and looks deep into my soul
and for a second
I get a glimpse of her old days —
despite all sorts of pain,
she chose to fight
she chose to stay
to serve, and love, and survive

she took care of me in moments
when she too needed caring
but she never complained,
she never questioned
she never stopped

behind those held-back tears
is the strength of my queen,
that gives me hope
and will to live

and now that I am a year older
I get to realize
that the more I age
the more I need my mother