mum

i read one of my poems 
to my mom 
[i hardly ever show them to her, 
let alone read one to her]
and when i was finished
she didn't speak for a moment 
because her eyes were filled 
with tears. 
she said to me 
"share these. 
put them in a book. 
share them."

-this was the last place i thought i would 
get affirmation, and for some reason 
it meant more