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