Mother

I don’t want to claim myself as a good daughter.
Yet, I want to give the best for my parents.
I tried with my dad, but he passed away.
Though I see him in my dreams,
I never dared to ask if I was ever good for him.

Dear mother,
You’re barely feet from me,
yet you’re a hundred years away.
Nothing can persuade you to stay.
You’re fading away day by day.
And to see you like that before my eyes,
It makes me want to fade away, too.

I want to know what’s going on with your mind.
It feels like mine and yours are continents away.
I built a boat to reach you,
but each paddle only drives me away from you.
I don’t know how much longer I can paddle towards you.
I don’t know how much longer I can linger with you.
I don’t know how much longer I can wave my flashlight to you.

08/16/24 © anastasiasyah