Mother, Friend, Forever!!!

Mother

I call you mother, because you birthed me
at the tender age of 21, newly-wed - all innocent yourself
younger than I am now
Yet you pushed
against all odds to have me
see the light of day

I call you mother, because you nursed me
with hands as tiny as mine
you rocked me
you fed me - with your adolescent breast
but you kept me
hungry for LIFE

I call you mother, because you lead me
through example you showed me
how to walk, how to talk, how to be
Mother...
You gave me
the gift of words so today I can write this
the love for life so today I shine even brighter than the brightest sun
the ability to laugh so today - i smile at the thought of you

Friend

I call you friend for you listened
You stayed up at night to dry my ever-falling tears
You told me, even truths that I didn't want to hear
because you loved me
more than a mother, more than a friend

I call you friend for you shared with me
your most happiest moments
and in your sorrows you cuddled up beside me
and told me it was all worth it because you had me

Forever

I keep you in my heart - forever
for you left messages for me all over
in notebooks
behind photographs
some whispered in my ears while i was sleeping as a child
as if you knew that I would need them
and you wouldn't be there to give them

I keep you in my heart - forever
for you left me a replica of you - my sister
and now like you were to me
I hope to be - to her
like a mother, like a friend, like forever

I keep you in my heart - forever
for you left me - a family
mothers, friends that i will have forever

I keep you in my heart - forever
and forever I will carry these words that you gave to me

"Likeleli, ngoanak'a, tlou ha e hloloe ke moroalo"
You were right, mother, friend, forever!!!