I became mother

 I became mother to my mother’s memories 

Keeper of the things she never told me 

Reading between the lines 

She never read to me

Lives only hinted at 

Deep covered in her history 

Holding them close I 

Hear her cry

Why she lashed out at mostly, 

I

The generations of misery 

Hunger and need 

As I understand now her 

Emotional greed 

I became mother to my 

Mother’s memories 

As I kiss them goodnight

So tenderly.

Etched forever 

A part of me.