Happy Mother's Day

A year ago I posted this poem for my mom for Mother's Day. This was before the prospect of losing her became real just a few weeks later. The last line, "who will never, ever leave" haunts me a little, but when I wrote it I knew I would likely lose her in my lifetime. I also knew her influence would stay with me forever. In her absence, I've found this to be absolutely true. So even though you aren't here in the flesh, Mom, happy Mother's Day to you. Here's another poem for you :)

Dishonesty

From a very young age I knew

the one thing my mother hated most

was a liar.

Maybe that is why Mom and I

sometimes fought

sometimes had difficult conversations

about race and gender and politics.

She surely didn’t know

how her request for honesty

from her children

would one day backfire.

That her daughter would call her

on her white privilege ceaselessly

and casual conversations about network tv

would evolve into heated debates.

And now I wish I had been a little less honest.

Maybe a little dishonesty

would unburden me from so much regret today.