Dear Mom

A letter held across a lifetime.

Dear Mom,

I am because you were, Mom.

I hear you speak through the only letter you ever wrote me.

You had beautiful handwriting, Mom.

Your words flowed like waves upon the sand, your voice warm like the water.

You come alive through the life of words in a letter, Mom.

Your life begins at the first sentence.

Again and again and again.

Your words can last forever, Mom.

As long as they are brought to life.

Written words allow us to speak even after death.

When I’m gone and these words are read, we’ll listen together
side by side
and just maybe we’ll come alive again
even if just for a moment.

Love,

Pemba.

A poem by Pemba Umoja