Mother

I've never known a person
so determined, so purposeful as she.
From her I've learnt
of pain and pleasure
of mistakes past and
regrets put aside.
I've watched as
sadness consumed her life
as the pressure caved in around her
as dishonesty broke her heart
and as the people in this world
turned her over in their hands
using and abusing
waylaying her spirit with depression.
I've seen her strength wane and
her body break.
In her tears were mirrored
all the faults of conflict and
all the grief of her mistrust.
I've seen man and house
job, money, and friends
come, only to go.
Yet still her spirit soars.
She's shown me
without the prejudices
associated with a hard past
how to live life.
Still she trusts,
still she loves,
and still she toils
to make her world
and the world's of others
bearable, even enjoyable.
Her approving smile
guides the wanting and the lost.
Her laughter echoes
comforting, emboldening and
drowning out the
vicious words of the past.
For all her strength
some would say she
inherits these gifts from her faith.
With all my heart I hope
that I too inherit this grace
from the only person who
has earned my true faith,
my mother.