May 24, 2024

No. 78

I want to know everything.

[NO. 78]

DID YOU HAVE AN EMOTIONALLY AVAILABLE MOTHER? HOW HAS YOUR ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION AFFECTED YOUR OWN ABILITY TO MOTHER?

A guest poem & image by writer & photographer Lisa Field

she’s three, begging for me to make the sun go away,
i am rocking her, kissing her salty cheeks, saying

i can’t my love, i would if i could
yes you are sad and tired and you want it to be night
i will stay, i will hold you while you sleep

she’s twenty-seven now, her birthday is in a couple of weeks
she tells me that i missed things when she was younger, when
my fire torched our house, when i was consumed with aliveness

i am with her as her voice falters, as my heart breaks, saying
i am sorry i wish i had known i want to know everything please share 
everything you want me to know i am here and you are here and you are
precious cherished golden mine always i love you, saying

everything i still hope my mother will say to me

WHAT DO YOU WISH YOUR MOTHER WOULD SAY [OR HAVE SAID] TO YOU?

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