i am Tinsley’s mom

i have come 1000 miles over this field
to hear those words
“you’re Tinsley’s mom”

it wasn’t until she said it
i knew how much i needed to hear it

because when your baby dies before she can live
you never become her mom to the outside world
she instead becomes your stillborn daughter

but i am Tinsley’s mom
i will always be Tinsley’s mom

even i have to say it out loud myself
to hear it