The Poem That Momma Saved

 Mothers are large people,

Who frequently declare

That "other children" eat their meals

And sit straight in a chair.

"Other children" wash their hands

According to my mother.

 They never yell, or curse,

Or attempt to hit each other.

"Other children" mother says,

Speak when they are spoken to,

They answer "please" and "thank you"

The way that I'm supposed to do.

 I'm sorry for my mother,

Just as sorry as can be,

For she knows such lovely children,

And then got stuck with me.

And as I tuck you into bed

My precious children dear

I"ll read once more

The poem my mother cut

From out of the newspaper so yellowed,

And now I can see I'm stuck.

Sarah Lee McGehee

8-16-98