there is something heavier than lead
weighing down my heart
lead is
the color of this day
the color of once bright eyes
that sparkled and danced with life
lead is
the color of the shadow I see
in the weary reflection staring back at me
the color of being older than my years
there is something heavier than lead
weighing down my heart
lead is
the color [...]

Of my flesh they were not born
but to my soul they have been knit
born and nursed of another womb, another breast
they were not welcomed, they were not wanted, they were not loved
cast aside like debris, “she clutters my life…”
kept as a means for release, “he reminds me of him…”
again and again it come the blows–
whether [...]

I pause at the doorway watching the rise and fall of your chest
a moment of peace as you sleep…
I see these hands so strong and powerful
I remember when they fit so tiny in mine; soft and loving
I remember the pictures they drew and cards they wrote
the flowers they carried to me so small and sweet
Now [...]

I think about you all the time
and about the men and women you’ve become
I think about the things I tried to teach you
and remember all the lessons you taught me
I think about the adventures we had
and remember all the times of laughter
I think about the grief we shared
and remember the tears that were shed
I think [...]