One by one we file in,
Unrehearsed just usual
“What’s for dinner, mama?” we asked
“Pounded cassava and okra” she responded
She hesitates…
Then continues
“It’s without meat though…”
She awaits for our response
A look of disgust
She is waiting….
The shock all but stops
It stops in our hearts
We never allow it to make it
To our faces
Never!!!
“At least there’s dinner tonight” I responded
Everyone echoed the same view
It was the truth…at least there was dinner
With or without meat
Mama turned away as tears filled her eyes
The tears she had managed to hide for so long
Poured down her face….
Her weak and now aging face
Time had dealt with mama
She was now tired and it showed…
We consoled her
Tried to assure and reassure her
That better days were coming
All she had to do was hold on
Better days were ahead…
The truth was we weren’t sure anymore
We knew they were coming
But we weren’t sure when…
Still mama needed our assurance
The better days truly came
Despite our doubts
And though it took a while
They came…
They are still here now
But not her…
No but rest assured mama is gone to glory
Boomie Bol 
So beautifully crafted, so deep. This is incredible.
Thank you so much Sarah, very nice of you to say
Beautiful! And sad, with hope at the end.
Indeed Madhu, indeed. Thank you so much, and glad you liked this
so beautiful and sad
Sometimes life is a blend of both. Thank you
Beautiful, Boomie, just beautiful! Your mother sings in glory now,
Amen. Thank you so much 🙂
Heavy, heartfelt and hope filled. Nice piece of work.
You are ever so kind Resa, always appreciate and enjoy your comments :).
She’s happy now, boomie! 🙂
I couldn’t agree more :). Thanks so much
A real touching poem.
Thank you
Heartfelt and sad.
Those times really were. Thank you so much for taking time to comment, always appreciated
Touched me boomie…beaututiful expression.
You are such a kind soul Robin, thanks always
Always welcome boomie…this was so special ~
The better days came, and Mama has gone to glory, and she’s every where…
I agree :). Thanks SCB!!! Hope you are all better now?
So heartfelt – nice write – but – sad.
Thanks twinnie 🙂
This is beautiful. And I bet mama is so proud of you now.
Oh thank you so much Madame Weebles for saying that. I sure hope so too 🙂
Felt right there with you (and your mother) Felt all of it Boomie. Felt the tears of all mothers for that matter. This is a beautiful, beautiful write! Love, Jennifer
Thank you so much Jennifer. It is an amazing job that mothers do…the sacrifice, the pain, the effort, the time…the love. Yes mothers deserve more than they can ever be given. Glad you felt this…i have come to admire you, and your kind soul that radiates through your words. Thank you always for the support, always
Your poetry always touches me. This one gave me goosebumps.
Thank you so much, very nice of you to say that. Have a wonderful week!
Beautiful and soulful writing.
Thank you so much, very nice of you to say. You sure put a smile on my face
So lovely.Thanks for sharing
Thank you for reading and taking time to comment Audrina. Great to “see” you back in the blog world
Your writing is such an inspiration to me.
Your comments always refreshing. Thank you for these kind words
A beautiful tribute
to a beautiful woman
from a beautiful Soul. ♡
Thank you my dear friend, thank you so much
the grief in this poem can be a heavy thing, but you handled it with such eloquence, Boomie. beautiful writing.
Thank you Stacy. Coming from you, that is a huge compliment. I do not take it lightly, many thanks for the retweet. Your kindness is always appreciated
Boomie got to tell you sista I love you…what a beauty..
Oh Soma, i love you right back. You know i am a fan of your brilliant and ever clever posts. Very nice of you to write this kind comment. Big hugs
You’ve captured the fear and the sacrifice so beautifully, Boomie.
Thank you so much. I wrote it a while back and only showed my younger sister. When i write personal stories and all i tried to show one or all of my siblings so they can give approval to share and we can all agree the sentiments shared are true or very close. Thank you!
This is beautiful and loving.
I appreciate this comment, thanks for saying.
beautifully written story of love, devotion, and faith. blessings to you dear one for all that you carry for us all.
Thank you so much for this very kind comments
Absolutely beautiful and wonderfully written! Great job!
Thank you so much!!!
Okay my turn. Tear jerker here, Boomie. You wrote incredibly moving words. The cadence with reference to emotions radiating from your poetry…I cried.
Oh that was not the intention at all…but glad it moved you in such a powerful way. I think this year i am facing some of the hurt i have ignored or pushed to the back of my mind and heart, hopefully it sharing and writing them will help me heal and move on. Thank you always
I cry when I am moved. Whether it be sad, happy, or some other really strong emotion. I was simply moved by the truth of it. you are very welcome my friend.
Oh..my heart hurts and sings simultaneously…how is that possible? Beautiful, sis!
Thank you so much Arlene. I really appreciate this. I guess the hurt is from the pain behind this post but the songs from the hope found after it all. Many thanks again
Touches the heart 🙂
Thank you Sam 🙂
Sad n happy……
So true
Wow, I can feel the love and hope and pain in that. A beautiful tragedy…Peace to you 🙂
A beautiful tragedy indeed! Thank you so much
I want the Cassava and Okra! Badly!
Ha ha Michael, if ever you are in the chicago area. You got it lol
wow! I may come out just for that and for my friend Viktorija’s cooking from Puglia. You should check out her stuff http://www.olivacooking.com/ she teaches classes all over Chicago and her cookbook is awesome!
Will be sure to check her out. Thanks
touching and sad and yet filled with the beauty of thankfulness and gratitude.
So true :). Thank you, sent you an email…
Bull’s eye, straight in the heart.
Thank you so much for saying this.
Felt this too closely, Booms. Beautiful! 🙂
Thanks love :). Big hugs
Wow! Beautiful. I personally think that when I eventually “go to glory” it will mean “better days”. Kim*
http://www.travelphotographyblog.wordpress.com
http://www.100days100ways.wordpress.com
Very touching!
:)!!!
Got sad a bit. Nicely written poem. Reminded me of a poem written in my language.
🙂
Yea…the reality is life is a mixture of both…we celebrate and embrace the great times and acknowledge the not so good ones…thank you. Do you have it on your blog?
I often find myself in a position where words are compromised when I have to write something that worries me. I need to get over that and be a little bold, I guess. But, I think I have a bit of verse here and there which are not entirely happy thoughts. It’s all about losing someone.