Sing a Song Loudly

I sang the songs my teachers taught me The evenings Papa would come home drunk When he so filled up our four-room house It seemed, when he arrived, it had shrunk. Papa cursed his way from front to back Said the meanest things to Mama and me One of many nights I long remember From childhood when I wanted so much to flee. Escaping to anywhere, to find a safe haven, Where some peace and calmness might reign Mama said, “Sing a song your teacher taught. Think of one with a rousing cheery refrain.” She said to shout it out, loud as I could sing it When the blue skies turned to a somber gray And, if I sang it long and loudly enough The tears I had been crying would go away. Leading “The Singin’ Seniors” many years later I recalled that lesson from Mama long ago “You can’t sing and be sad at the same time!” She’d say, so, sing a song wherever you go. written May 19, 2021