A poem for my parents
Was it their strength that made me grow,
their struggle that made me reach for the stars,
their love that made me caring?
Was it their support that made me challenge life?
their care that made me beautiful?
their presence that made my life shine?
Was it their tears that made me powerful?
All this they gave me, I don’t know how to give back.
Nine months, my mother kept me in her womb,
She held me when I felt scared and broken.
My father combed my hair,
held my school bag so my back wouldn’t hurt.
They taught me our traditions, our culture, life.
And struggled to find me the right man.
I lay in the hospital bed to have my first baby.
My mother beside me holds my hand.
Her single tear made me die a little inside for her,
But her hands still held me tight.
She mumbled holy verses, prayed for me.
And I watched her.
I delivered my child. My father opened his arms,
Congratulated me. He looked at my child,
His eyes small and shadowed,
And said, “What a lovely baby.
I wish her all the happiness.”
And now, in the home of my husband,
I miss my mother and father so much.
My father calls. “How are you, Baby?”
I feel tears when he asks this.
I am a mother now.
By Pakiza
photo: Peter Biro
I’m feeling tears too, Pakiza. Very beautiful. Bless
So very beautiful. The poem is bursting. I am an ocean away and I can feel the deep love and gratitude you have for your family. So beautiful. So very moving.
Wow. This poem is your gift back to your mother and father, and is a gift to your baby too who you hold like a word in the moon-shaped cusp of your heart and hands.
Pakiza,
Your poem is so moving and beautifully captures the bond between parents and children. I especially love the line about “her single tear made me die a little inside for her.” Never have I heard it so well expressed the pain that we as children feel when our parents are sad for us. I also love the image of your father combing your hair and holding your bag. It so compactly conveys a father’s love.
Many, many thanks for sharing this poem.
Sarah
This poem is very touching and it makes me think of my own parents. How they always take care of me and want to help me out, you have now made me think more about how much my parents care about me. Even though I dont know you very well pakiza your poem tells a lot about how much you care about your parents, I think your baby has a very wonderful mother
Also take good care of your baby, best wishes………Mayra 🙂