Trying to conceal how I truly feel isn't easy

I put on a front like I'm okay & everything's great but that's not how it is really

I wear a mask to portray a side of myself that I wish I could be:

Truly, genuinely stress free and happy

I pray for the day when I don't cry myself to sleep

Or break down because my mom is doing the same every night, trying to keep

A front like everything's okay but I know it's not

I know she has a lot going on, I know she deals with a lot

And I swear it breaks my heart

To see her shed a tear or hear her say how things are too much

It's like she's in a fight with life and keeps falling with every hard upper cut

And I'm in the crowd, tied down trying to fight my way to her

But it's like no matter how hard I try, I just can't do it

I wanna be her rescue, I wanna carry all her burdens so she doesn't have to

I wanna feel all her pain for her so it'll be easier for her to get through

I hate that I'm not able to right now & all I can do is be there for her when struggles get her down

But my mom, she's strong

She's a fighter

She's like Ali in the ring. She may fall but she'll come back harder

I swear she should've been a soldier because every battle she's been through, she's never quit

She kept fighting until it was over

Until the war was won

And despite her beautiful appearance, she's been through it all

But every wound has healed and she's come back with her head held high, standing tall

Her scars are cleverly concealed behind her beautiful smile, bronze skin,

and zeal

She's the epitome of everything I'd ever wanna be

A beautiful, God fearing woman

A caring, loving mother

A selfless, empathetic person

And someone that looks forward to tomorrow, despite the circumstances

You see my mother is everything I'd ever wanna be

She's a fighter, a lover, an optimist

All the flawless pieces of her, consist of & complete my puzzle

I am her. So I know I can get through any struggle

Every piece of her is beautiful

And I know whenever I need to fight and be strong, I don't have to worry

Because I carry all of her best pieces with me