Mama’s Name

Mama’s Name

“Mama?, Mama?, can you say Mama’s name?”

Mama, Mommy, Mother, Ma, Momma, Omma, Eomma.

These words become meaningless now in your absence.

Yet tucked in each press of lip,

Hidden in each hum of M,

Flowing in each ah,

Is a plea:

Please take care of me–

Please don’t abandon me–

Please hold me–

Please love me!

These words, no longer spoken,

Taste like ash on my lips.

Yet every night, in each chanting prayer,

I hope and dream Momma is there.