To my mum

this is an ode to the women who raised me
to the eyes that knew no sleep
every night I cried for milk
the legs that didn’t grow weary
searching for food to fill my belly
the heart that taught me to love, and
thought about me alone
with tears from your eyes,
you washed all of my bad behaviors
with love, you cared
and tendered my broken heart,
bruised body, broken bones
you gave breath, blood
to build this bond to last
I love you now, and always.

Victor Oyedele