The Giver... a poem for my mother

The Giver

Your are the mother.
Of all givers,
you are the one.

In the very beginning,
in the middle of night,
and at the end of every day,
you gave and you gave.

From here my footsteps
trace backwards to you
in a place I cannot conceive.

Forever all my tomorrows
are born of your yesterdays.
Each moment holds you and me
together in perfect stillness.

I who am no longer a child,
who took it all
and who labors now -

as you must have years ago -
to give as well as I got from you,
mother. Of all givers,
you are the one.

by Kevin Cahill