Older Than My Mother by Steven Skelley Band

 

Older Than My Mother

 

I was born one day

The natural way

The third of four children she bore

She was still young and strong

Singing magical songs

Her soft touch warmed my soul to the core

 

At first it was all fun

Sharing popsicles in the sun

Giggling at the mess on my face

We kids tried to run when she’d lick her thumb

No spit bath we’d scream - she gave chase

 

But the years weren’t kind

And she struggled to find

Money for our food and our rent

I hugged her when she cried but something broke inside

Her magic spark shockingly spent

 

 At age forty five

She stopped being alive

Death left us just her empty shell

How could she be gone

She was our night’s dawn

We pleaded with heaven and hell

 

It has been forty years

Since my funeral tears

I’m much older than she got to be

As I close my eyes

I see her arise

And I say hi Mom it’s me

  

We walk hand in hand

Or sometimes just stand

Then lock eyes and smile at each other

How can it be

My Mom is now smaller than me

And I am much older than my Mother?

   Copyright 2025 Steven Skelley

My Mom passed away at the age of 45. One day she was here and the next she was gone. I have missed her every day since. Sometimes, I find a quiet place, close my eyes and imagine her there with me. We hug and kiss and we talk. I tell her all the things I wish I could have said. In these moments, I am my current age (62) but she is still you, strong and beautiful 45 as she was when she passed. It looks like I am older than my mother. If you have lost a loved one, I am sorry. I send all my love. I recommend that you too find a quiet place, close your eyes and have a conversation with your loved one. I am certain that they hear us.

Hugs,

Steven