Mother

Mother, I thank you, and curse you.
Why are the last words I remember of you,
"Don't cry, You are a man. A man doesn't cry"?

Your words gave me strength to carry on,
After you left me alone.
And I believed you, a child of twelve,
And have never cried since.

Now others have left me,
Your sister, my aunt,
Your brother, my uncle.
And now I find that I have no tears left to give.

I thank you mother,
For this armor you gave me.
You've helped me get through
All the trials and pain,
Let me escape the burning fire without a singe.

Yet, now that I need to cry,
Let out the pain, anger, and frustration,
I wonder if your words of gift
Were the words of a curse.

So I sigh,
Letting my drawn out breaths bid farewell,
To all the loved ones now missed by me.
I want to let out this pain inside of me,
But tears won't come, and I'm left
With painful mists in my eyes.

Mother, I thank you, and curse you.
Why are the last words I remember of you,
"Don't cry, You are a man. A man doesn't cry"?