When a Mother Cries

A smiling face, a gentle touch,
you hear some of the new born baby lullabies;
you see the joy, and struggle, but,
sometimes only God sees when a mother cries.

The abcs and skinned up knees,
first day of school starts the string of goodbyes;
the pick them up when they are sick,
and only God sees when a mother cries.

The soccer games and hockey games,
the rolling eyes and all the teenage sighs;
the hurtful words and slamming doors,
still only God sees when the mother cries.

The college days and parting ways,
some tears seen spilling from brimming eyes;
the ‘it’s okay, I’ll be home soon’,
and still God sees when a mother cries.

The new place move and wedding days,
the longer absences and bigger goodbyes;
the missed phone calls and drives back home
and still only God sees when a mother cries.

A smiling face, a gentle touch,
she hears some of the new born baby lullabies;
she sees the joy, and struggle, and knows,
sometimes only God sees when a mother cries.

 © Leslie C Dobson