I never thought of my mom as a young girl
I never wanted to
I never could have
She’s always been an adult to me
Tough and strict
Tired and wise
Hot and cold
Iron and steel
I can’t imagine
A little girl
Running from her mother
Crushing on neighborhood boys
Struggling with homework
Tripping over rocks and stones
And hopes and dreams
Was my mom born as an adult?
If I had a child
Could they ever imagine me as a little girl
With pink dresses and barbies
A quiet voice
An aching heart
Doodling in my journal about my latest crush?
Would I be born as an adult to them too?
My mom has always been an adult
To me
Maybe to her
She’s always been a child
Wondering where her mother went
And if she’ll ever forgive her.