Once a Mother...

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Once a Mother...

“Sit up straight,” my mother said,
as we sat down at the table.
“Yes, Mom,” I said automatically.
I didn’t complain because this was Christmas
and it was good to be with Mom again.
Suddenly my nose itched and, 
reaching for my handkerchief,
I sneezed.
“Do you have a cold? I bet you have a cold.”
“No, Mom.”
As the first course was served
Mom looked up again at me.
“At least your hair isn’t down in your eyes
anymore. Why don’t you try combing it over 
to hide that bald spot?”
“Yes, Mom.”
When the main course came, Mom changed the subject.
“Is your boss paying you any more? I sure wouldn’t work for him.”
“No, Mom.”
Then just as the dessert arrived, Mom gave me another good, hard look.
“Are you watching that spot on your face?”
“Yes, Mom.”
I sighed. Just like every other visit.
Except now I’m 62
and she’ 89
and our dining room is in a nursing home.
Once a mother, always a mother.
“Sit up straight,” my mother said,
as we sat down at the table.
“Yes, Mom,” I said automatically.
I didn’t complain because this was Christmas
and it was good to be with Mom again.
Suddenly my nose itched and, 
reaching for my handkerchief,
I sneezed.
“Do you have a cold? I bet you have a cold.”
“No, Mom.”
As the first course was served
Mom looked up at me again.
“At least your hair isn’t down in your eyes
anymore. Why don’t you try combing it over 
to hide that bald spot?”
“Yes, Mom.”
When the main course came, Mom changed the subject.
“Is your boss paying you any more? I sure wouldn’t work for him.”
“No, Mom.”
Then just as the dessert arrived, Mom gave me another good, hard look.
“Are you watching that spot on your face?”
“Yes, Mom.”
I sighed. Just like every other visit.
Except now I’m 62
and she’s 89
and our dining room is in a nursing home.
Once a mother, always a mother.

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When power leads man towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) Thirty-fifth President of the USA

Bobwelbaum’s Poems (23)

Title Comments
Title Comments
On Haircuts 1
The Shopping Trip 0
It Was Not To Be 0
On Dogs 0
You Never Know 0
My Soaring Fantasy 0
I Want 0
Once a Mother... 0
Talk To The Experts 0
A Pessimist or an Optimist? 0
On Challenge 0
Books Are Your Friends 0
On Communication 2
On Importance 1
Seeing The Future 0
No Problem -- Or How to Handle Difficult People 1
No Foolin' 2
Dreams 1
My Greatest Enemy 4
Perspective 1
Time Slips Away 2
Ode to a Modern Warrior 2
The Patriot 2