A Poem For My Mother

Galoshes and long underwear
cod liver oil and Vicks
mom forced it down me everyday
her winter bag of tricks

hot Cream of Wheat and vitamins
fresh grapefruit sectioned out
"Put on that hat! Zip up that coat!"
each morning she would shout

and every Sunday without fail
into my room she'd walk
raising shades and pulling sheets
I still can hear her talk

"Get up! it's time for Sunday School,
Get up! or you'll be late",
Oral Roberts on the radio
and a quarter for the plate

and every now and then the choir
would let my mother sing
lead solo on a gospel song
what joy her voice would bring

then after church we'd go downstairs
and everyone would say
"Yes Lord your mom can really sing"
that always made my day

each Christmas she would trim the tree
dye eggs at Easter time
and oh what fun the hunt would be
those memories are sublime

yet, all my childhood memories of
my mothers love and care
can be summed up with these three words
galoshes and long underwear