All I’d Do for Her

“All I’d Do for Her” by Brielle Kohlbeck

In a separate universe, I’d give my mother everything.
In a world where I was not her daughter but perhaps her friend,
I’d weave flowers in her hair and make sure – just for her – the sunshine would never end;
We’d say we’re friends forever and wear bracelets made from thread.

Perhaps there’s a separate timeline where I’d be my mothers mother.
Potentially a daughter of another and finally the mother my mother deserves.
Allowing her to feel a love from me stronger than any other,
As I’d be the one filling her lunch boxes with bread, peanut butter, and strawberry preserves.

I’d be the one to teach her the phases of the moon and why eclipses and tides occur –
Praying she’d see although life is finite, our souls would be intertwined.
Always within and without each other, id keep her safe and undisturbed
To love is to embody; in one's soul, time, and mind

Oh, how I’d love to see my mother run to the waves as a little girl, watching her sweet legs tire.
Running my fingers through her long youthful hair, untangling it from the salt of the sea.
For I’d spend an entire lifetime dedicated to watching hers conspire.
And oh how I’d have loved for fate to let me love my mother as she’s loved me…

I wish words could describe all I’d do for her.
But yet, I’ll see her grow up only within myself.
Whenever I look into the mirror I’ll see her before me and behind me,
As if my own reflection were see through, and anyone other than her could never be.

About the Author

Brielle Kohlbeck is a freshman Journalism major.

This submission comes from our call for Valentine’s Day posts. To celebrate the holiday, we will be posting student submissions like Brielle’s throughout this week.