Are You My Mother?
A Poem by Tina Clark

I know what a mother looks like.

I see one every morning in the mirror.

I know that a Mom is supposed to see

herself in her children, and vice-versa.

I see it in my children.

But where is my mother?

Mirrors are supposed to reflect the past

as well as the future, but mine is one way.

Are you my father?

I know what a father looks like.

I see one every night lying next to me in bed.

I know what a Dad looks like in his children,

for my son is the image of his father,

who is the image of his father,

who is the image of his father.

My son is lucky to have that continuity.

His roots in his heritage will be strong.

Where is my father?

Are you a part of me?

I have no idea.

I have no past and sometimes no future.

My children are only half-way

rooted in their ancestry.

Are you a grandparent?

Who are my children's grandparents?

Where are they?

Do they even wonder about me?

Do they care that they have grandchildren

who don't know them?

I would love to give my kids more grandparents.

That's what family is about.

Where is my birthright?

I love to hold my children in my arms,

which is their right.

Do you want to hold your child?

My arms are out and my heart is open wide.

I might get hurt and I might cry,

but what I find will be more than I ever had before.

Those who raised me I love.

Those who raised me are my Mom and Dad.

But now, my Dad is gone. I love my Mom.

I love my children's grandmother.

I want more.

My children deserve to have more.

Poem © copyrighted 1997 by Tina M. Clark

May-June 1997