Mama

A broken smile,
A joyless laugh,
I wish I could take
these away from you.

Wise wrinkles,
False teeth,
I wish I could take
these away from you.

I wish I could sleep
with my head in your lap,
and have you stroke my hair,
with your healing hand.

I wish you could sleep,
with your head in my lap.
My hand on your brow
could make you happy again.

I wish I could live,
with you forever.
And in the shade of your love,
die, before you grow old.