The Protector — Màámì

Before I knew what a mother could be, It was Maami who first held me. Nobody will ever love me that way, Not in a lifetime, not even for a day. Even my mother’s arms were never my home, She was my home, my safest place, The first true love I felt. In quiet nights, she barely slept; Her prayers were walls that held it all. Speak to her at my grave, And see how she’ll bring me back to life, In whispered prayers, in soft embrace. She kept me strong, she made me see The better man inside of me. I don’t want you to stand by my grave, Because I won’t be able to wipe your tears. Her voice would tremble, soft but strong, Asking heaven to guide me along. Knees on the floor, whispering my name, Praying to God through my hidden pain. She taught me faith when I had none, Saying, “Hold your head high, don’t run.” So if I stand, if I still believe, It’s in every lesson she gave to me. Yet it still breaks me deep inside. Maami stood where the world turned cruel, Broke every storm, bent every rule. She took the hits life threw at me, Fought unseen battles endlessly. When I was small and filled with fear, She was the shield that kept me here, My protector then, my protector still, A love so strong… it always will.