True Heroes

True heroes

aren’t found
in brightly illustrated
hyped up pages of comic books,
or Hollywood’s latest blockbuster.

are shadowed by freshly ironed
multi-colored file cabinets,
full of everyone else’s clothes.

are hiding behind the mounds
of creative clutter, protective thumbs,
security blankies, dinosaur night lights,
and filthy pants, concealing
the newest Band-Aid collection.

are reflected in dozens
of lunchbox lithographs
and brown paper bag named lunches;
all with that special snack inside.

are found among
the unselfish,
warm smothering embraces
of unconditional love.

- dedicated to my mother