.

Mother and I

Father is not going to return.
I lay awake, the clock struck twelve.
Not today;
not tomorrow.
He's not coming back anytime soon.

Father is not back yet,
so it's just me and my mother;
my mother and I.
Yes, just the two of us together.
Me and my mother; my mother and I.

Staying up late for a phone call,
I sit cross-legged on the bed with my mother,
waiting. Always waiting.
Yes, the two of us are alone together.
Me and my mother; my mother and I.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Time is impatient,
and the sun rises like it has no mind of its own.
A question: are we gentle, are we kind?
No, we are patient.
Me and my mother; my mother and I.

We are forgiving, no matter the fault or deed;
we understand every thought and any need.
But do we fear for being strong, and being strong for nothing?
No! We still have faith, and faith keeps us going.
Me and my mother, my mother and I.