MOM

I never knew how heavy love was
Until it slept on my chest at night
I watch him breathe and I feel the fear
Every sound feels like a warning sign

And suddenly I see you clearer
Every version I ignored before
All the times you stayed awake for me
Lying on the bedroom floor

Now I know why you never slept
Why your eyes always looked so tired

You gave pieces of yourself away
And never once called it a sacrifice

I didn't see it then
But I do now, mom

You carried worry like it was nothing
Hid your tears where I couldn't find them
You held me steady through every fall
While your own world stayed unbalanced

Every prayer you whispered quietly
Every fear you swallowed whole
You were breaking in places I never saw
Just to make me feel safe at home

Now I know why you never rested
Why you stayed strong when you were worn

You chose love over your own peace
Every single night, every storm

I didn't see it then
But I do now, mom

I'm sorry for the years
I didn't notice you disappearing
I'm sorry I thought you were invincible
When you were just human and caring

If I can love him half the way you loved me
I think I'll finally understand
What it means to give your whole life away
Just to raise a man

Now I hold my son in the dark
And I feel everything you felt
Every sleepless night, every tear
Every piece of you, you never kept

You loved me when I didn't deserve it
You stayed when I didn't know why
I didn't understand love then
But I do now, mom

If I become the man you hoped I'd be
It's because you gave me everything