[Nataly-del]

To a mother I have never known:

Gazing at my reflection I see a part of you;
patiently waiting for the light to shine through
Masking tears of sorrow behind closed doors of pain;
will I live to see your beautiful face again?

Days seem long and fruitful as I stare up at the stars,
and though you did not want me, I feel you from a far.
Eight children, I have heard, surround you every day;
was I not as good, why was I cast away?

Each day I stop and wonder; what did I ever do?
I was just a child when our family came unglued.
I wish I could have told you how I'm graduating soon;
or how young I was and married in the month of June.

I was ravaged in my youth; do you even care?
These hurtful things that happened, I’m sure you’re not aware.
Santiago was my home and rightful place of birth,
but what is a third world country really truly worth?
To me it speaks of heritage and things I have not known,
what does it really matter for it's never been my home.


You cast me out a child; no home and no distress
Are you simply insane or a creature without finesse?
You abandoned your baby girl without a last goodbye,
but in the end dear mother, you will be the one to cry.

I have become a woman of great stature and substance;
unaided by your hand; now I am giving guidance.
I shed my last tear for you, and your foolish ways;
for me there is a future of only brighter days.

So in conclusion mother,
I bid my last farewell.
I never wish you pain
but without you I will excel.


This poem was published in my new book, "A Cabaret of Memoirs." My book is available here: A Cabaret of Memoirs