My Mother Ran Away Today - Barry Louis Polisar

My mother ran away today

She walked right out the door

Packed her tooth brush and pajamas

Said, «I can’t take it any more.»

She said that she was tired

She said she had her fill

Of cooking our meals, washing our clothes

And cleaning up all our spills

She said she’d write us letters

With no return address

She said she’d come back someday

But now she has to rest

She took the plants, she took the cats

Took our pictures from the wall

And though it’s just been two hours

I wish that she would call

I never thought I’d miss her

Isn’t that the way?

You never know how much Mom means to you

Until she runs away