She & I

She left in the morning and came home at night

I slept on the couch, waiting to see her

She mopped the floors until they were dewy and clean

I stepped on them with my dirty sandals

She paid for my school jackets, a raccoon on the front

I lost them, I lost them three times

She cooked all of my meals, ethnic smells filling the kitchen

I complained that it looked weird

She gave me everything she had

I took it all

I massage her aching muscles

As she relaxes by the television

I buy her a stuffed dog, dog for loyalty,

She cherishes it, keeping it by her wardrobe

I do the laundry and I wash the dishes

She sighs in relief

I perform in dances and music concerts, all for her

She watches and records them, grainy zoomed in videos of me

I watch,

As she sacrifices so much for me-time, money, her health

I decide to tell her a future where I take care of her, kiss her on the cheek, and say, “I love you”

She smiles and says, “I love you too”