A poem to ring in the new year:

mother can you hear me –
calling out across the miles?
mother do you know me –
all the tears and all the smiles?
mother would you see me –
if i walked among a crowd?
mother would you care –
if i shamed or made you proud?
mother would you keep me –
if the past could be replayed?
mother would you love me –
or would you just be dismayed?
mother can you feel me –
the tiny part that’s still inside?
mother won’t you choose me –
or will i always be denied?