11. mother

I will always remember these nights blurred with tears

I say ‘I am doing fine’, over the phone, laughing from the city town
I add ‘You don’t need to worry’ at the end, and hang up the receiver

The sky I can see in the space between the buildings
The stars that I once pointed my finger at
I pray that I will always be able to remember
all the things I can never forget

On these nights blurred with tears, I remember your kindness
In the faraway town where I dreamed, I will now take one step by another like this
I just want to say one thing, please keep watching over me, okay?
Mother

Because I’m always selfish, I wonder how many times I’ve made you worry
‘Thank you for always’, I hope that at least these words will reach you

In the photo album
where your still young face is reflected,
I’ve only ever clung to you and gotten spoiled
I’ve become an adult just a bit

I can’t seem to easily get things I love and things I believe in
But since the love you gave me will be ingrained in me forever
If one day a person I need to protect will appear for me too, surely

On these nights blurred with tears, I remember your kindness
In the faraway town where I dreamed, I will now take one step by another like this
I just want to say one thing, please keep watching over me, okay?
Take care of yourself, okay? Because I will come home again, mother