Looking for Mother - Jackie Huss Hallerberg

[Larry Robinson]

Looking for Mother
    


He stands among the white painted racks – 
An older man who could be any woman's son.
He is looking for mother in the words and phrases
Penned on the inside of each greeting card.
She is not there.

I wonder – will this be my son
When his time comes to choose?
Will he find me among the Hallmark deities, 
Second only to Mary or Mother Teresa?

>From what palette of memories 
Will he paint my portrait?  
Will it be the goodnight hugs, sweet moments of tenderness,
Or sometimes, tears of despair?

Will he select, as this man does,
The blank page on which to write?
Will he remember that I had my own life,
And mother was only one of my names?

	- Jackie Huss Hallerberg