A Poem For Mama Poem by RIC BASTASA

thinking about mother on a special day like this
transforms you into a child again,

the images flash:

that little boy who hides behind her skirt when the
a stranger arrives in the house,

her arms warm around when when the sound of thunder
arrives on the roof

the hush of the lullaby, the hammock, the way she puts you
to sleep on that blanket-cradle,

that early morning when she fries the egg and fish and boils water for
your milk, and the scent of newly cooked rice,

those dancing feet that teach you how to dance,
those stories
of fairies and giants and princesses,

some tears begin to fall but you wipe them out remembering
how she tells you to be brave always,

when she left you, you held her hand too, telling her,

'mama,
do not be sad, do not fear, after this short while (as she was in pain) an angel waits for you
to guide you to your new home'

and she closes her eyes,
leaving you the most peaceful smile on earth that you cannot ever forget.