Mother

Mother, what is your name?

The real one.

The one given to you by your own Mother?

Did she have one too?

I was scared to ask, but now I want to know.

Need to know.

The person you secretly tucked away so that your daughters could grow up sharing their first name.

Not Mother.

Not Woman.

You, me, us.

I’ve always thought Mothers held this power, one where you could be two people at once.

I want to have that power, but it seems so exhausting.

Is it tiring Mother?

Not hearing your name when being called upon?

I wish to ask, only out of respect to you and the many women who traded their last names for new ones.

I know you know me, Mother, but who are you?

Who are you really?

To me you’re Mother'.

Smart, strong willed, and determined Mother.

But who did you sacrifice to become her?

Mother?

What is your name, Mother?

The real one.