B'Mama Said' (Everything You Wanted Mother To Say) Poem by Barry A. Lanier

Mama didn't read me
Fairy Tales and rhymes
Every night when she put me to bed
In the comfort of home when we were along
She'd recite the lines 'Mama Said'

Some times when you're filled with doubt and fear
'Mama Said', 'Try one day to discover your own idea'
Times get tough, life's filled with rigidity
'Mama Said', 'Son throughout life don't abuse your stupidity'

Sometimes when you feel, you've hit the bottom
'Mama Said, ' 'There's more virtue in the hoe, than in the cotton'
Sometimes when you feel, you've hit the end
'Mama Said, ' 'When the money runs out, you can count all your friends'

When you fall in love with the right one, give everything
'Mama Said, ' 'Love as you love, in all of your dreams'
When you don't find your dream, and don't really know why
'Mama Said, ' ' You can't catch a rabbit, with your dog tied'

When you need somewhere to think, and be all alone
'Mama Said, ' 'Remember, nature's pristine, where man hasn't gone'
When you've lost something, and really don't know why
'Mama Said, ' ' The river's most important, only when it runs dry'

When you're out on that beach, and flexing your tan
'Mama Said, ' ' Remember a good women, is twice any man'
When you're down on your luck, it seems the end of the world
'Mama Said, ' ' Remember only defective oysters, produce a pearl'