I suck when it comes to
showing my emotions,
my heart is scared to be worn
on my sleeve
But sometimes,
I just sit there quietly
and just marvel
Marveling is a great sport
it’s been a while since one
has soaked in all the beauty
via sight
It’s Saturday night
I sat there across from her
over dinner
we were at home
I was quiet
I just marveled
You were making dinner
making sure everyone had a plate
your daughters in count
your husband at the head of the table
I was quiet
I heard how many times your name
bounced off of walls
for requests for solace
for peace, for the sake of you being there
I was quiet
I watched as you meticulously responded
to each and every one
I marveled, again and again
I was quiet
I listened as you caught up
with 3 daughters’s lives and a husband
as your eyes poured care and as your words
sat on our shoulders like angels
I was quiet
I watched as your heart
broke with your daughter’s
and I watched as your soul soared
with happiness after the other fell in love
I was quiet
I watched as you posed as the perfect
therapist for the one who’s confused
be it in silence or in words
I took pride in knowing you
endured years of patience and sadness
and yet reveal an appeal
that angels
marvel at
I was quiet
I observed as you guided
the other down the path of adulthood
I was quiet
I wondered at the caliber
of strength you have to
endure tantrums, fights
sickness, nagging
I was quiet
and felt with you as you sat there
after everyone did
and applauded your body’s power
to do all of this
after teaching for 10 hours
I was quiet
I felt every thud your heart
beat for the husband you love
till today after almost 30 years of marriage
I was quiet
till I asked
“How do you do it?”
She smiled back
effacing all sense
of exhaustion
she smiled and
marveled back
at the pieces of her
around that table
and said
“I am a mother”
silencing all sense
of questioning
Iris Schwarz
