Visit Mum Day Poem by Rebecca Dalmaso

Knots in my stomach, I hate feeling this way
I Thicken my skin, It's visit mum day
I walk down the hall that feels it has no end
Take a deep breath as I approach the bend

I walk in the room wishing for a warm embrace
She glares with caution at the strangers face
I place the flowers down and pull the curtains back
She looks at me like I am about to attack

She starts screaming loudly she says it's not true
I do have a daughter but It is not you
Who are you really? and why are you here?
It breaks my heart, her undeniable fear

I walk out the room and try to catch my breath
I wonder if a life lived and forgotten is worse than death
Maybe I shouldn't have come because now she's upset
I remind myself she can't choose who to forget

As I exit the car park my tyres spin on the gravel
I swear I can feel my heart start to unravel
This torture in a way I do to myself
I could never put her on the too hard shelf.