Mama, You're An Ocean

Once you seemed
remote, unparalleled
in ardor, forever
concerned, when
my forehead burned
it was your nest
that staved off
screeching phantoms.

That was when
we were all you had.

Then you got glad,
met a man somehow
worthy, wasted no time
with that life you deserved.

And I saw you give birth.

Sometime later, left—
you moved me in,
even though you knew
what kind of trouble
I was getting in.

And I would walk
wistfully by the wharf,
missing you like I used to
every weekend you were
at work, which you did
so that someday I could walk
wistfully by the wharf.

Mama, your eldest
will always do his bestest
for you, for you.

I love you more than water.

You stay strong when I falter,
and no matter where I go,
I carry your kindness with me.

Wave, wave—
a swollen moon—
pretty soon life
will take me
through the motions.

But will always—forever—
be blessed
to be the son of the ocean.