Ume

You are a water drop in the water.

You are the only star that gives light
to the galaxy of my heart.

Maybe this drop
holds the value of the world.

Your love
helps make my heart light.

When I feel scared, I find myself in your arms and I feel calm.
Every time I feel pain, the first one I think of is you.

If I’m away from you for a moment, tears flow from my eyes.
If I wake up and don’t see you, I feel like I am the loneliest person in this world.

All of this is for what?
All of this is because you gave birth to me.

All of this
is because my eyes didn’t know anyone but you.

When I cried at night
the only one who was in front of me was you.

I didn’t know walking but you showed me walking.
I didn’t know talking but you showed me talking.

I didn’t know how to live but you showed me the way of living.
I didn’t have power in my arms but you were my power.

My Ume, my mother, I love you.

— By Hila G. (5/9/12)

Courtesy of the Afghan Women’s Writing Project