Sunrise, Sunset By Eleanor Curry

When the sun rises the light

Dims from my mother’s eyes.

The workload builds and the

Stress of the day begins anew.

I watch her, stumble and sigh,

Indignation in every step, her

Back breaking through the little

Inconveniences that could have been

Solved by someone else. But she,

My mother, took on the problem,

Head on. It’s not her job, to pick up

After the people who are capable,

To iron clothes, to make food,

To hug, to kiss, to comfort. Yet she,

My mother, did all of this for us. Take

A rest please. Let me take this burden

Off you. Sit down. Have a cup of tea.

Kick your legs up and follow your dreams.

I watch her close her eyes. Silence now

Encasing the home. But its already night,

The work is done.