With air dried tears she begged me,

Eyes beautiful in nature but heavy with regret,

Irises that see haunting flashbacks of her past life, automatic flicks of old times,

My beautiful mother stood in color contrast with the sun, cold as night outside as I watched her tears run, 

My loving Queen Mother was as pissed off as ever, but not any more pissed than any loving mother would,

I looked in those reddening eyes, and finally for once I completely understood,

She held me close when I was young because she knew I needed protection,

She kept me from outside because of the dangers that lurk,

She told me “go to bed” because I needed the practice, so that ten years later I’ll get up on time for work,

She taught me all these things that I perceived as holding back as a kid, and even though I’d probably couldn’t admit,

Everything she taught me was for a reason, and now more than ever I’m thankful for it.

Thankful for the laughs, the scoldings, the lectures, the ups, the downs, the many life lessons,

In every way possible, I’m thankful for you,

And I’ll do everything it takes to make you proud of me too.

Because I love you.