"19+1=20" by Parizoda Axrorqulova ('24)

19+1=20

At age of one, your words were "mommy"

She cried with joy when she heard you.

But her words are powerful

like a match.

At age of six, you started school

You were happy when you learned how to write.

But her anger ignited a fire

and you cried a river.

At age of thirteen, you were addicted to coffee 

Coffee is your best friend, what about her?

You try to put out the fire

but you are traumatized like her.

At age of sixteen life hit

All of a sudden everything was serious.

Mother is lost and are you?

At age of nineteen, you discovered

Yourself and continuing to do so.

Yet mother will never realize it

She is a fire.