Ten Years Without You

It's your tenth birthday

That you missed.

We have been there

For each birthday.

Felt your mother’s longing

And affection displayed

With different flowers

Each year, roses, irises,

Orchids and other flowers

Enjoying the rest of their

Lives nurtured in vases

Around the assembly of

Framed photos that shine

In your precious corner

As a reminder that you

Remain with us.

Four-Four are not numbers

But symbols that show up 

Not randomly, to alert us that

You are surrounding us.

Last time we saw you

Was on Labor Day,

Adding another Four

Not a coincidence to have

Labor and Four that year

Again another symbol for

The labor of your mother’s love

Carrying you for nine months

Flying in the eighth to Oxford to

Pass her doctorate thesis defense with

Only you witnessed her determination..

Her labor has not stopped

Nor her generosity to share

With us her love for you.

By Lina R. Hamadeh