MY MOTHER           © 2016 by Myron Schreck

SHE’S SITTING IN HER BEDROOM – HER SCISSORS IN HER HAND –
SHE’S MEASURING HER FABRIC – IT’S A RED WOOLEN PLAID
THOUGH HER EYESIGHT IS FAILING AND HER FINGERS ARE TIGHT
WITH JUST ONE THOUGHT OF HER DAUGHTER, SHE WORKS INTO THE NIGHT
WITH JUST ONE THOUGHT OF HER DAUGHTER, SHE WORKS INTO THE NIGHT

WAKING FROM A BAD DREAM – I CAN’T GO BACK TO SLEEP –
I SLIP INTO HER BEDROOM AND I LIE AT HER FEET
I CAN SEE IN HER GRIN – THERE’S A PIN BETWEEN HER LIPS
THEN SHE PATS ME ON MY SHOULDER, HUMMING SOFTLY “SHA SCHTIL.”
THEN SHE PATS ME ON MY SHOULDER, HUMMING SOFTLY “SHA SCHTIL.”

THESE MEMORIES WILL STAY WITH ME THE REST OF MY LIFE
I’LL TREASURE THEIR PLEASURE ‘TIL THE DAY THAT I DIE
I’LL HONOR MY MOTHER – A FOUNTAIN OF WISDOM
AND I’LL TRY TO BE THE SAME FOR MY CHILDREN

MY MOTHER LIFTS MY HEAD UP AND SAYS “GIBN MIR A HANT”
I THREAD FOR HER A NEEDLE AND A LENGTH OF RED THREAD
AND IN AN INSTANT WE SHARE — A “BISSEL” JOY, A “BISSEL” PRIDE
I AM HELPING MY MOTHER – SHE IS THANKING HER CHILD
I AM HELPING MY MOTHER – SHE IS THANKING HER CHILD

MY FATHER’S IN HIS OFFICE — MY SISTER’S FAST ASLEEP
MY BROTHER’S ‘NEATH HIS COVERS — WITH A FLASHLIGHT – HE READS
OUR APARTMENT IS QUIET — PRECIOUS MOMENTS FLY BY
I’M ALONE WITH MY MOTHER – SHE’S ALONE WITH HER CHILD
I’M IN LOVE WITH MY MOTHER – SHE’S IN LOVE WITH HER CHILD

THESE MEMORIES WILL ALWAYS BE LIKE BLOOD THROUGH MY VEINS
THEY WIRE ME – INSPIRE ME – DAY AFTER DAY
I’LL HONOR MY MOTHER – AND HER YEARS OF SACRIFICE
AND I’LL TRY TO DO THE SAME WITH MY LIFE

RARE ARE THE CHANCES WE CONNECT WITH OUR PARENTS
WITH LOVE, APPRECIATION –– COMFORT AND PRIDE ––
SO CHERISH THOSE MOMENTS —— PRECIOUS AND GOLDEN ——
FOR LIFE —— EVER FLEETING —— DIVERTS AND BEGUILES
UNLESS WE OPEN OUR EYES
UNLESS WE OPEN OUR EYES