Mother

[MTNakande]

Tuesday, February 16, 2010
MOTHER
Blessed is the womb that bore the being,
Blessed is your smile that brightens my day,
Blessed is the burden that took you nine months to bear,
Blessed is your effort through my growing and trying days,

Those days I felt I knew all that life was about,
Those days you tried to caution me and I shun,
Those times I protested and detested as you warn,
Those times I was peer driven and adrenalin influenced,

Sometimes you cried in silence for a reckless youth,
Sometimes you prayed and waited, patience and faith you held onto,
Sometimes you can't help but wonder, when I will ever be stable,

When I played and fell you washed my wounds,
When I fell sick and weak you were always by my side,
When my grades fall you told me I could do better,
When you said all I should do is believe and be determined, I knew my dreams would come through one day,

You gave me a shoulder to cry on and a push when I was afraid,
You stood by me in my times of trial and seemingly endless tribulations,
You believed in me when the world lost faith in me,
You always helped me see the bright side of my problems,
You are the star that brightens a dark night,
You are the silver lining behind my darkest tunnel,
You fed my tender mouth as a toddler and you support me until I could learn to walk on my feet,

If only I knew what I know today,
If only I could turn back the hands of time momma,
If only I could wipe your tears away, all those times I caused you pain,
If only I could give the whole world to see you smile,
If only I had listened to you then, mother, I am lost without you,

Today I look back at it all and I say to myself, "what if"?
Today, the whole world is not enough exchange for a minute without you,
All I want to say to you mother is "there are no words or wealth that can pay you back,
All I need to say to momma is, "my intent is to show you that I understand,
All I want to say to you mother is "you are appreciated".

This poem is dedicated to my dear mother.
Muhammad Tijjani Nakande, a freelance writer, a neo pan African can be reached online at www.muhammadnakandesworld.blogspot.com