No Longer Alone

© 1994

Tonight I discovered the Mother in me
and I'll never be lonely again.
I felt Her Madonna-like presence surrounding me,
hugging me, being my friend.

When Moms are around, it's nothing to fall.
You pick up, dust off, and go on.
There's always that circle of comfortable arms
to love you and welcome you home.

Moms frame your pictures, and treasure your scribbles,
and brag to their friends about you . . . . . . . .
but when you leave home there are lonely betrayals . . . . . .
and stunning hurts to suffer through.

Oh Mom! How I've needed your love all these years
when I've felt alone and far-flung,
running the gauntlet through blind and unfair,
lashed by carelessly poisonous tongues.

I've hid behind smiles, and "I see's", and "Oh well's",
a child still needing support.
I've hid in my comfortable home and my jobs
and not ventured much further forth.

I've watched others draw from some river of strength
that's not been a resource for me.
The gains that I've made have been modest indeed
compared to what's locked up in me.

I've hoped that some knight in white armor might save me.
Expected right reasoning to fix things.
I've been on my knees praying hard for assistance.
Invested in family and friendships.

But tonight I discovered the Mother within me,
Inside me, my best friend by far.
With my own love's protection, no longer abandoned,
I finally can reach for the stars.