My Mother’s garden

my mother kept a garden full of
flowers of the heart
she planted all the beauty-  that gave my life it’s start.  she turned me into sunshine
encouraged me to grow -
planting and nurturing - she
taught me all i know.  
when the winds and rain came she gave me shelter from the storms
taught me how to love
the roses and the thorns through the years as we grow older, my mentor and my friend -
markers for my pathway
she’ll be with me til the end
i am my mother’s garden - her faithful legacy - i pray she feels the depth of love reflected back from me