A Daughter's Heart On Mother's Day
Mother, sometimes memories are fraught
with tears or pain
Relationship was difficult, and held a heavy
strain
I know your life was busy, you had a lot to do
With all of your commitments, and only one of you
I know with all your children, there was bound to be
A special golden child or two, and though that was not me
I understand the conflicts of our personalities
Could present some problems,
and prove difficulties
When it comes to Mother's Day,
Those cards don't quite seem right
And often I would forfeit those,
And set my heart to write
I know if there was 'Child's Day'
What, if you wrote, you'd probably say
And would I want to truly read
That I was lacking much indeed
Or would you pen some flowery word
When case in point, I'd know absurd?
But all these years now, past life's end
I've truly wished we had been friends
Those plays, I'd played
You'd never seen
The concerts, choirs, in which I'd been
You held your stance, and wouldn't budge
I'd sought your glance, and held a grudge
You were sad I wasn't Joe.....
You told me this, so 'Betty "Jo"
Was not the Prize this infant brought
You made sure, I'd not forgot
Nor was I a flowery girl, who'd set a mother's
heart to whirl
For tomboy, I? A thing or two
I was a girl, but a strong one too
Helping daddy build that shed
And lifting weights?! Oh dear, what dread.
But Mother, now as I look back
Relationship, and to the lack
That I must have myself presented
And with that, you, my mom resented
Remembering now sweet things you did
When I was just a little kid
You packed my lunch each day for school
Our home was tidy, clean by rule
You loved my daddy dear and so
You gave my name, that gift of 'Jo'
I'm sending thoughts, up heaven's way
I pray my prayers,
that some gold day...
When the dead are raised anew
My Mother, that, one day with you
You'll find in me the truest joy
Though girl I be, and not your boy
And somehow all the pain and dread
And all those golden words unsaid
Of the pain, all ills and strife
Swallowed, passed...
To onward Life
Thank you for sweet things you did
Now, Mother, beg I, plead and bid
That Father God would grant thee pay
And wish you "Happy Mother's Day"
To you in heaven
From one of seven
(For Johnny was your baby too
Not from your womb...
Thought 'Mom'
of you...)
By the way, please tell him "hi'
Love,
Betty Jo
From Earth... to sky
All my love and prayers
Your
Betty Jo
Copyright ©
Bj Legros Kelley
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