The Look (Ode to my mom)

The Look (Ode to my mom) I remember the look Stern yet loving without a sound Was really all it took Disaster averted and turned around Preaching came to me with ease Let those barbs fly without a thought But she remained on her knees The look said something more was sought It’s not what is said, you learn Years peel away like skins from an onion Words too cause quite a burn Like those tears when your funs done Easy it would be if she tore Chastise, prosthelytize, no instead the eyes Never in anger she swore Just the look that carried so much more The pain I know I brought about If it came to me, I would explode and scream She made it clear without a doubt Tears of sorrow, prayers, the unwavering beam The look is not a memory but a part Like the lining sewn inside a coat perpetually worn It was sent straight from her loving heart Be it happy and proud or crushed and torn The look made me feel reality The words came to me like a door had sprung Each day they pervade my mentality Comfort, compassion, fresh air to fill my lungs I gaze upon my grown son I remember the look as I lose my cool, act a fool So hard to keep from coming undone Her look you see followed one simple rule Love is not in a store, a song or a book You cannot go online and google it for a cue It comes from the heart, the look It is in your soul, it’s not anyone else but you You can practice the look in a mirror But it will not be something you plan or rehearse Nor has it anything to do with fear Not a fancy prose or well-read verse It’s just true honest love… That she could express in a look, Tim Windisch 2/19/2014