Mother, you have raised me
With love and spirit unbroken.
It is my turn to say the words
That too often go unspoken.
I feel you are my lucky charm
And I your penitent child
I know I kept you busy when
My temperament went wild.
You are such a special person
I cannot count the ways
That you have helped define me
And enriched my doubt-filled days.
So now, I am grown and gone
To live my life apart,
And I will love you always as
You dwell within my heart.
~ Evelyn Mancino
