Oh Mamma

By Tara Nicole Walker

02.20.03

Many a time we sat and talked

Through my lonely childhood years

Many times at sundown we would walk

Past the dark windows and you'd shed your tears

Into the night we would talk and laugh

Those times when we loved each other

But then as soon as we got back

It was always one hateful word after another

But in those moments when we were close

My thoughts you almost seemed to see

And right up until that bright sun rose...

Oh Mamma, you had found me

I hated the way that you cut your hair

And let those tight little curls hang 'round

I hated when you slapped us without a care

Even when I refused to make a sound

It was confusing with those few small hours

Of laughter and glee between us just behind

But soon the changes were as normal as clock towers

And I settled for the explanation that you lied

I don't remember if I cried at all

But oh, I remember that it hurt

Everything that I wanted and needed crew lofty and tall

And to deal with and do without is what I learned

Sometimes I remember in spite of my almost having forgotten

Those times when you could almost see

And now my voice echoes as I wave "so long"

Oh Mamma... you almost found me...