One early morning I woke up thinking about my mother. She lives in another country and I think about her every day. We write to each other and talk to each other at least a few times a week, and I worry about her too. I woke up with the beginning of this poem in my head, and decided to write it down. Here’s my poem to my mother, Lydia.
MY FIRST HOME — poem for my Mamsi
It’s not always easy for me
To say the things I want to say
Don’t ask why this is in English
It’s just a part of me
I need to share.
You are my first home.
My shelter, my abode.
You are the walking representation
of my humble beginnings.
And I want to thank you
for being
my first home.
Thank you for cradling me
Thank you for rocking me
Thank you for holding me
safe, warm and lovingly.
Thank you for kissing me,
hugging me, loving me.
I know it’s not always easy
And I don’t take it for granted.
I’m so glad you had me.
I live because you dreamed about me.
The first arms that ever held me
like I was a treasure beyond compare.
Thank you for celebrating me,
caring about me
worrying about me.
I don’t know what I would do without you.
There’s nobody quite like you.
For you are my first home.
My shelter, my abode.
