I ask my mother, where do I find
A kind man, soft and strong?
She nods
I frown
We cut vegetables till the sun goes down
She worries about me as much as I have given up worrying about myself
I leave everything unsaid
She asks,
When will you grow up?
I grew up too soon, I wish I could say.
I wish I could make wishes, I think to myself
But it’s already dark and her back hurts
I lie down with her, turn on the TV
Why keep thinking about what could and could not be?
I overpour ketchup and ruin my fries
She asks again,
When will you grow up?
Never, I smile.
Don’t you know? Mothers and daughters
They have the same lives;
All we know is to worry and to love
All we know is we’re never enough.
mimimusing 