To Lara by Beril Yabar
When you were born,
Everything in my life changed.
My heart — it grew.
There were things I couldn’t yet understand,
As if inside me
Lived another “me.”
The first time you said “Mom,”
My ears opened wide.
When I saw you take your first steps,
My feet lifted off the ground.
Then you graduated, like everyone else,
And when I heard your name during the awards,
A wing grew on my right side.
One day you came to me in tears,
My heart ached — my soul felt like cracked earth.
I realized I had more life to give,
And I gave it all to you.
Turns out, I had superpowers —
My lips could heal your wounds with a kiss.
My arms opened wider
Just to hold you tighter,
Never wanting to let go.
Then you started university,
And gained a little more freedom.
You began working,
And found a new version of yourself.
As you climbed the steps of life,
I began to watch you quietly —
Like a film in which I was the producer,
And you, my leading star.
And I can’t get enough of watching you.
It’s selfish, I know —
But while your teachers, friends, professors, cousins,
Grandmother, father, sister, and aunt,
Even your boss,
All play supporting roles in this film —
It still feels like it’s just you and me.
I’m so proud of you.
And I’m grateful that you chose me to be your mom.
Happy birthday,
My beautiful daughter, Lara.
Beril YABAR
