Ever, Love

Ever, Love (or: A Poem for my Mother)

once upon a time

I was little and

you were big

ever so grand, lovely

            my shield

a tree protects a clamoring

baby bird

and there were flowers

always flowers

                        never weeds

tucked away in short

plastic vases passed from

my dirty little hand to your

ever strong

ever accepting one

toddling about to running

about, then everything was about

dancing about—

a development leading to

my shiny red knees and black

and blue toes hidden in

pink until you could carry

me to safety in

the ever moving car

and there was food

whatever I would eat that

particular day was on

the table

straight from your

ever loving heart

then things were more serious

school unwavering

unbearable friends

constant pressure to top

ever constant love from you

and there were funny things, too

car rides and battlefields always

going, ever moving

never stopping except

to laugh

it’s still like once upon

 a time, except I’m

big too, now

and there are still flowers

and dancing

and food and still

serious things or funny

things, things that

mean ever love and ever living

happily ever after