Dedicated to my mother, Jeanne J. Woodson on
The day after Christmas 1991
Daybreak brightens a chilly
Sonoma,
Upstairs in “down,” I’m not to home-a
Inspected your garden, now mostly gone,
Then to the orchard, at crack of dawn.
Pungent green onions, turn your
head please,
A few hardy apples still cling to the trees,
Stalwart tomatoes, survivors of frost,
But most were squishy, a flip! They’re tossed!
Filling a bowl with everything in
reach,
Saw you even considering a bottle of bleach!
“Muffinks,” from Mom, treats we all savor,
My challenge to you, reconstruct the flavor!
Yesterday on Christmas, I saw your
surprise,
Attacking your stockings with wide open eyes,
Mixed with your own special brand of pleasure,
Our family examined each proffered treasure.
Now you’re surrounded by those you
love,
Generations draw closer, like hand in glove,
Changes in the world, to our delight,
Walls tumble down, events proven right.
Through ups and downs, you’ve
always been there,
Ready to help and freely to share,
A legacy of love, your example to follow,
Providing for all, an expression not hollow.
I pen you these words, in orderly
rows,
Filled with emotion, my incompetence shows,
Switching to schmaltz, I boldly declare,
I love you mother . . . that I swear!
Written by Dale E. Malone, Have you a thought of your
Mother!
The Great & Wonderful Kahuna!
Last
modified: April 26, 2009