My Ami (Mom) and I
© 2016 Hadassah Shabnam Lal
It had been a week or two since I saw her
That Ami (Mom) of mine, I saw her today
Sometimes we sit and talk; other times, there’s silence
She teaches me some cooking skill; and tells me a story or two
She tells me of times not long ago
When they had no electricity or running water
But they got thru anyhow
The women dressed like ladies
And the boys behaved like gents
It was a much simpler time; than what we have today
I looked at her beautiful face
And wondered about the memories held in her dark eyes
Once she was a beautiful young maiden
Full of happiness, anticipation and joy
Lately she has looked saddened and frail
I started to leave, but she didn’t want me to go
She undoes her hair; asking me instead rub oil on her scalp
I take the oil and massage her scalp as she smiles
Hot tears burn my eyes; wondering all the while
Why she asks me her daughter to do this favor of all
She always asks me paint her nails
And rub her feet with lotion and Love
These are little rituals we share, my heart tugs me hard
Am I making some cherished memories with her?
So we can both carry on and laugh
Like a daughter to a mother; like a mother to a son
I see the one who bore me getting old before my eyes
I see the one I bore; growing up before my eyes
My life is so bittersweet at times
All too soon these moments are here and then they are gone
Like the wind whispering in my ear
She was here, and now she’s gone
Tears of sorrow burn my eyes as my heart gains another hole
This one will never heal, even when I’m old…
© 2016 Hadassah Shabnam Lal
It had been a week or two since I saw her
That Ami (Mom) of mine, I saw her today
Sometimes we sit and talk; other times, there’s silence
She teaches me some cooking skill; and tells me a story or two
She tells me of times not long ago
When they had no electricity or running water
But they got thru anyhow
The women dressed like ladies
And the boys behaved like gents
It was a much simpler time; than what we have today
I looked at her beautiful face
And wondered about the memories held in her dark eyes
Once she was a beautiful young maiden
Full of happiness, anticipation and joy
Lately she has looked saddened and frail
I started to leave, but she didn’t want me to go
She undoes her hair; asking me instead rub oil on her scalp
I take the oil and massage her scalp as she smiles
Hot tears burn my eyes; wondering all the while
Why she asks me her daughter to do this favor of all
She always asks me paint her nails
And rub her feet with lotion and Love
These are little rituals we share, my heart tugs me hard
Am I making some cherished memories with her?
So we can both carry on and laugh
Like a daughter to a mother; like a mother to a son
I see the one who bore me getting old before my eyes
I see the one I bore; growing up before my eyes
My life is so bittersweet at times
All too soon these moments are here and then they are gone
Like the wind whispering in my ear
She was here, and now she’s gone
Tears of sorrow burn my eyes as my heart gains another hole
This one will never heal, even when I’m old…
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