MOTHER’S DAY Andy Anderson

Mother's Day

MOTHER’S DAY   Andy Anderson – 11/13/2011     

Every Sunday afternoon I leave my house and take a drive
out  to see my mother, at the home where she resides
It’s a very pleasant journey, when the weather is OK
and I’m proud to say I rarely fail to visit…. on that day

I arrive just after two, and check-in at the desk
where they tell me how she’s doing, as I sign in as a guest
The staff there is so friendly, and they know me every time
and remark on my devotion, as I tell them….I don’t mind     

I amble down the corridor, and pass the large dance hall
where residents take their meals, as the staff observes them all
I wonder if the bingo cage, was spun the night before
and if anybody ever really danced….....upon that floor

As I come to room 11,  I catch my sweet old mom
gazing out the window, watching robins on the lawn
As lightly as I can, I rap my fingers on the jamb
she turns and smiles, and asks me…… who I am…..

And I gather.. all my courage.. as my hopes, comes crashing down……
like Windows on the World.. lying shattered on the ground…….   
  
I tell her I’m her son and let the sadness fade away
I ask her how she’s doing, wish her happy Mother’s Day
She grins and tells me all about, a choir who came last night
children singing Christmas carols, little faces ………shining bright

And though I’ve heard this many times, I act as if it’s new
and hope she cannot hear, my heart snap again in two
I nod and I envision, children singing for my mum
unaware she’s their special ghost of Christmas… yet to come    

The visit passes slowly, and an aide stops by to say
it’s time for mom rest, but I am welcome any day
Mom’s grin dissolves, and she says she’s glad I came
and she asks me if I wouldn’t mind……telling her my name

The drive back home is somber, mixed with worry and despair
again she was no different, from the last time I was there
I recall the vibrant lady who so loved me every day
and how terribly I’ve missed her, ever since she…. went away….  

And I gather.. all my courage.. as my hopes, comes crashing down……
like Windows on the World.. lying shattered on the ground…….   
I know, next week I’ll return If not me, who else would go?
And I wish myself a very, merry, Mother’s Day….Ho ho ho…   

The Children's Christmas Curse

The Children’s Christmas Curse

Christmas time at the Baptist Church, at six years old I had to work

 to learn my solo hymn for the Christmas show.

“Away in a manger, no crib for a bed” were words I’d drilled deep in my head but what came out that night I still don’t know.

‘Though I practiced hard to learn that tune and words,

The stage fright made it all just lights and blurs.

As I ran off to find my pew, deep in my heart I really knew, a show biz job was one I’d never do.

Little kids, most scared to death, would mount  the stage and loose their breath

And stand  like deer in headlights on the road.

When  mother’s prompting did not work, they stared and stammered, some with quirks, then ran for safety in a panic mode.

But some cool kids stood there serene and calm,

And spoke their “piece” without a hitch or qualm.

Their folks were filled with joy and pride, while I looked for a place to hide.

That Christmas show was stress I can’t abide.

When I think of  a Christmas show, I think of all those kids that know they’re probably going to blow their Christmas “saying”.

It doesn't matter what they do, rehearse and practice, do voodoo, their cool & calm and memory’s just not staying

They take the stage all brave but all alone

And most will wish that they had just stayed home.

And they’ll look back through all the years of loves and laughs and smiles and tears and think of standing, frozen like a stone.

So now when Christmas comes around, I see the joyful sights and sounds

And think of that cold night in that old church.

The clearest memory I recall was standing like beneath a pall as mind and body left me in the lurch.

Now I buy gifts and gild the tree and be the dad I’m meant to be but stay away from hymns and bible verse.

‘Cause in my mind I’m still that boy and that night’s end sure brought me joy as I endured the children’s Christmas curse.