oh, my momma

momma, 

you know, 

i was so pretty today.

i woke up on time

you didn’t say anything 

before you left

but,

my glasses were clean

my nails were painted, 

plain and beige, 

nice and tidy. 

my hair was nice, 

it was clean 

and held its shape. 

i felt so pretty today. 

and i didn’t see you

all day. 

momma, 

you know, 

i did so good today.

my trainers said so

we moved up, 

they’re proud of me. 

they’re so impressed

by my effort,

my commitment, 

and consistency. 

things that you 

taught me.

momma i have videos, 

i want to show you

i have photos

that show the things

everything i’ve been

working for, 

and my photos,

i want to

show them. 

it’s coming together momma, 

and i can't show you. 

i haven’t seen you

in days

and i don’t think

you’d care

i don't think

you’d listen, 

really listen, 

or really look. 

i think you’d have 

an earbud in

your knitting 

or your book 

more interesting 

than my photos. 

i don’t blame you

but if we’re going to cuddle 

then turn off your lights

and hug me

put down your knitting, 

my momma, 

put down your phone, 

and put away

your earbuds, 

your fury,

your stress, 

your sorrow, 

and let me show you

let me tell you, 

how my day was. 

let me show you

the poem i wrote, 

the video of my progress

the photo of my dog today,

the stupid .5 photos you hate

just laugh at them

my momma, 

just laugh at my photos,

and come home, 

my momma, 

come home and see

my pretty dress

and nice hair. 

come home, 

and just

let it go. 

i’m sorry it's not tidy

i'm sorry 

the floors 

aren’t vacuumed 

aren’t mopped,

the laundry 

isn’t put away,

but momma, 

would you please

just come home

and listen 

and talk 

and laugh 

with me, with us, 

look at my photos, 

my videos, 

put away 

your phone, 

and your anger,

and just 

come home.

come home, 

and listen,

my momma.