Ode to my Mother

My mother in the depths of her pain and sorrow
had a strength and tenacity that all should borrow
selfless sacrifices should be an example to follow
she was stoic to the end faithful to her vow

she endured her husband cruel blows
shielding her children from his punches
waking up with black eyes and bleeding nose
enduring the pain as she went about her chores

she was a lynch pin, holding everyone together
loving my wayward brothers even as they wandered
working in the paddy field to feed them
thatching the roofs to keep us all warm

the years piled on her and her husband died
leaving her alone yet she was freed
of the shackles of his own disappointment
for his own lack of achievement

years after her strength waned
her body could no longer withstand
the burden of her duties as a mother
so, she laid down to rest and slept forever

I the least of her favorites was by her side
watching her as the roses on her cheeks recede
sending her to her final resting place
saying goodbye with a confetti of rose petals

I haven’t visited the grave to date
for she will always reside in my heart
she may not be a saint
but she will always be our mother