Mother

i’m such a scatter-brain
i still muddle-up things all the time,
you always thought
things were so exhausting for me
dealing with everyday chores I’m not on duty this
weekend
and so exhausted, shedding tears…
i’m not more than 25 and still your child
and painfully thin
i’ve been on edge all week
oh mother!
such a pity you can’t visit
nothing’s real, all fake and pretence
i have no confidence of yesterday
and look fragile, easily violated, unsafe
once you have nursed me and kept me
under wraps
oh mother!
i want you, need you right now.

Günsel Djemal
1986