copyright 04-21-08
for single-parent urban Moms
Happy Mother's Day
When I was growing up
She was like
The large green dense bush
That now grows in my yard
You wouldn't want to
Brush up against it's
Stiff spiked green leaves
They protect not only the bush
They serve as an effective barrier
Only allowing those in
That are small enough to perch
Inside and flit around
Protected from stray cats
Roaming dogs
Large birds
Heavy storms
In our old neighbothood
The shootings assaults robberies
Drugs rapes riots - - - when we lived at home
Her presences above and all round us
Kept us safe - gave us a place
To grow and show we were ready
To fly away on our own
Into the even less friendly world
Tom J. Mariani
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/2008-held-in-custody/
