splendid you.

& smiles

{& a poem, from here}





Mother

by Julia Campbell

96948_000_012

If I could pull from you

the child you were,

I would rock her gently in my arms,

and hold her hand

until it stops shaking.

I would sing soporific lullabies,

leave the light on

all night,

and whisper, “I love you,”

before I close the door.

She would not sleep

in a dark corner that reeks of booze

and sweat, or wince

at every sound.

I would send her to school

in a brand-new dress

and shiny Mary-Janes,

so her classmates wouldn’t snicker

or exclude her from their games

of hopscotch and tag.

She wouldn’t have to wear

long-sleeved sweaters, in the summer,

to hide the bruises from home.

I would make sure

she was happy and knew love;

then I would lay her in your arms,

Mother,

and we would watch her sleep

peacefully.