My Mama

My Mama she trips out in the moon light when I’m safely tucked up in bed she dresses to wow her audience but I know not of her occupation when I ask I am greeted by silence and then “You will understand when you grow up” My Mama she returns at break of day before the curtains begin to twitch or draw she’ll come in exhausted and fix my breakfast then checking in on me she’ll wake me for school before she goes off to bed – she’ll see me later to ask about my day and play A Mamas kiss, a smile, a hug, warmth, food and a roof Yet when we go out together people turn to talk to one another, quietly nodding Funny looks are cast our way and yet not one shall speak to us Aged nine in school I find out why when another child will laugh “Ya Mama works the streets lies on her back, watches the sky – to feed ya -Tis what my Ma said” It makes me cry I love my Mama but this shame hurts I want to die…