POEM - Mama Was A Wise One

 Mama Was a Wise One

 

Mama was a wise one, she had a way with words,

Mama was a wise one, mek mi tell yuh weh she used to seh!

 

Scornful dawg nyam dutty puddn, chicken merry, hawk deh near

And when you ears too hard, she seh who cyaa hear will feel

 

Mama was a wise one, she taught us how to save

She seh one one cocoa full basket, good advice she always gave

 

Mama was a wise one, leading us along the right path

She taught us how to be patient, to meekly wait and murmur not

 

Mama was a wise one, she taught us how to pray

Gentle Jesus meek and mild, each night at bedtime we would say

 

Mama was a wise one, she taught us the value of stability

To stand our ground and not fool around, for a rolling stone gathers no moss.

 

Mama was a wise one, she taught us to be thrifty

Not to compete with the Joneses, but to hang our basket where we can reach it

 

Mama was a wise one, she taught us to have a plan B

Not to be swayed by so-so words, for a promise is a comfort to a fool,

 

Mama was a wise one, she taught us honesty

To speak the truth and speak it ever, cost it what it will

 

Mama was a wise one, she taught us to be content

To be satisfied with what we have, because want all, lose all, and craven choke puppy

 

Mama was a wise one, she taught us to use our initiative

To get up and do what we have to do, because who have raw meat must seek fire

 

Mama was a wise one, she taught us to be aware, not to be deceived

Not to be fooled, for when fire deh a mus mus tail, him tink a cool breeze

 

Mama was a wise one, she taught us not to be presumptuous

If we say ‘see you tomorrow’, she would say, ‘if life spare’

 

Mama was a wise one, she taught us to conserve,

Wishful waste mek woeful want, and feast today, famine tomorrow

 

Mama, you have left us but your wise words remain

Our queen, Esther Mae, forever in our hearts.

June 1, 1932 – August 6, 2022.