Coal Angels
To my mother, who chooses love every time
Childhood is
Looking at you
To see if
You’re looking at me
Constructing my
Sense of self
Out of my construction
Of your sense of me
Saying
I love you so much
And meaning
You love me so much
Recently
I have ceased
Seeking your gaze
And started
Gazing at you
The world gave you hardships
Offered you hardness
With a smile, you said
No thank you; I choose love
The world gave you coal
You carved it into angels
Wrapped in two colors
Red from santa, blue from you
You taught me that strength looks like
Determination not Intimidation
Tenacity not Hostility
Independence not Dominance
Thank you
For showing me
How to stay
Soft
About the Creator
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