MOTHER'S LOVE

I can see her downcast face,
eyes swollen with old tears.
It's a tender plump face that my baby girl shares.

Those tears leave me empty;
for I can no longer trust my eyes.
My mother weeps with worry
that my love will vanish;
yet it has no place to go.

She who mothered me
owns my love. She covets
it and is jealous that it has limit.

She dared not tempt me with the
knowledge of another mother as her fear,
the curse grew stronger.

Years came and anguish turned to that dull
constant ache in the pit of my belly.

Fully grown and strong in the world;
my mother's fear traps us both.

Love is truth exposed.
Through it all no love is unconditional.
Better the bitter memory of a truth exposed;
then the constant, everlasting ache of fear.