A Mother's Jealousy

Life is ushering you in and I feel like a mother,
Proud
Fiercely protective
Worried for you; happy for you.
Jealous.
It’s true when they say mothers are jealous of their children I think.
And I am jealous of you.
You who are leaving me behind.
And this, not being what it is supposed to feel like.

You are not my son:
I am not the tired old mother
Ready to lay down and sleep
Dream of her boy’s success
Close her eyes and sigh because she has lived good,
and long,
and done well,
and has something to show for it.

I have yet to live
And I want to be living this with you.
I want you to take me with you.

Do mothers ever say that
To sons going off to war
Or moving out of state
Or going off to college?
I want you to take me with you. 

Take me with you please.
Take me with you my favorite boy.