Nicole's Mother

i was in a teahouse when i overheard ms. smith ask if anyone knew nicole's mother

And she is waiting.
And she
is waiting.
And she waits.

I know Nicole's Mother
A newborn
I heard her shout her greetings
To the new world

I know Nicole's Mother
A young baby, I felt her warmth
Smiling in her mother's eyes
Looking for love

I know Nicole's Mother
An infant kicking so strong
Her young legs
Strengthening them to run

I know Nicole's Mother
Toddling
The new discovery, the adventure
The first few steps

I know Nicole's Mother
The young child
Who her first day at school
Was so eager to learn

I know Nicole's Mother
Hot in the summer sun
She jumped with joy into the pool
And ate ice cream and popsicles

I know Nicole's Mother
The child
Who was so eager
To be grown

I know Nicole's Mother
The teenager full of life
Knowing everything in the world
So invulnerable

I know Nicole's Mother
Her family, you and I
May have made a couple mistakes or three
May have been missing when she needed me

I know Nicole's Mother
Human
She made one mistake
Maybe two

I know Nicole's Mother
She wants you and I
To love Nicole
Like she does now

And she is soaring.
And she
is watching.
And she waits.

—Harmon Ronaldson