Free Verse
Celebrating Mother's
Day May 9, 2010
“You never had a
Mama did you?”
I was forty-eight years old
when I was blessed by this question—
the opening words from a woman of color.
I stood in line after services on Mother’s Day
waiting for my coffee and muffin.
There she was—all
heart, a smile and plenty
of love and sass.
Miss Bess...My black Angel.
I wondered how she knew.
My shoes were shined, dress pressed...
I was washed behind my ears and my neck was clean.
How did she know? Stolen from my mother
when I was a toddler.
I hesitated before answering...
Not really.
Bess said, "well, you do now Child,
God told me you needed a mama and
I am she".
How I had longed for a Mother’s love—
a mother, the nurturing, compassion,
Tenderness and laughter
all missing in my relationship
with my father’s wife.
Miss Bess was the only
and Best Mother I ever knew—
A gift from Heaven...
My Mother for thirteen Years.
God Bless you, Miss Bess!
