Dearest Mama, I'M Okay
dearest mama
it's been three days now
but it seems a lifetime
I'm sorry it had to be this way
I really am
I can only imagine you on a crescent moon
lost in a crater, yelling at me
mama I'm sorry
a week ago
I was playing hiding go seeks
and hop scotch with kids my age, 11
now I'm playing for real
I'm good, mama
I really am
I live in a cardboard box
and use a tarp as a blanket
when I sleep, I leave out a cup at my feet
and passerby's leave loose change
one time I got a dollar, mama
I was so happy
can you believe that
Mama I was so happy
I bought sweater and a pen
from a thrift shop
Mama I'm thinking
I really am
on the cardboard box I write poems
strangers stop by and read with tears
mama I'm good, I really am
they say my writings good
and they leave me some loose change
these nickles and dimes add up mama
let me tell you they add up
right now I have food to eat
and I give some of my poem money
to the other street rats
that's the lingo they use mama
I'm street rat to you and them
most of these ratties are cool
none come close to my age
and there are very few women I see
they try giving me cigarettes and booze
but I pass
some try to befriend with their advances
I just walk away
sometimes even clutching my fist
mama I'm good, mama I really am
I just roll my eyes at them and they leave
or I leave it's that simple
mama I'm good
one time a police looked at me questionably
and I had to think fast on my feet
yes officer, I'm waiting for my mom, I say
and then point to a store across the street and they buy it every time
mama I'm good
yesterday I went into a hotel lobby
walked in with an air of faith, and confidence
told the front desk that my mom in room 101 and wants an extra blanket
they gave one to me mama,
can you believe that mama,
what saps
mama I'm good
For good measure
I even took a green apple and newspaper from the counter,
again,what saps
mama I'm good let me tell you
some of the ratties chip in change money to stay overnight at a hotel
they have invited me
I might try it, especially to receive a warm shower
I miss that mama the comforts of home
mama I miss you so much
and regret the heartbreak I'm bringing to you
mama I'll be good, I promise
as the black bears down river chase the both of us
they say in life
don't fret mama, I'll come home some day
please get your feet wet
love you mama, Paris Pachecho
connie pachecho
Copyright © Connie Pachecho | Year Posted 2016
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