Poetics Tuesday welcomes a new hostess, Tricia Sankey. She suggests we use the word “risk” in our poem. Somehow I hear Garth Brooks singing this one. Submitted to dVerse June 8, 2021
MOMMA SAID
He was born at the intersection of hope-so and maybe
Grew up in the ‘hood on the streets
Went to the school of hard knocks
Graduated with a degree in broken dreams
But Momma said “Son you can be somebody”
And somehow Momma’s words stuck
He avoided the gangs and the dopesters
Worked two jobs. and lived in an old Chevy truck
Momma’s voice echoed strong in his head
He escaped risk of trouble somehow
Spending his time in classes instead
Finally he set off for his future
In a borrowed suit with degree in hand
Success came his way with its good times
Momma’s boy had grown into a man
“You can be somebody, son” still echoes
He’s living well and in great style
He knows he worked hard and earned it
And Momma just nods with a smile.
Beverly,
ReplyDeleteI can hear Garth singing it too! I love ballads and this one just tells it straight: it's an enormous risk for someone to move out of an old world of hard knocks and no hopes to one where there is a future. And it takes a mother's love too.
pax,
dora
What a fantastic opening:
ReplyDelete“He was born at the intersection of hope-so and maybe”
In a borrowed suit with degree in hand
ReplyDeleteSuccess came his way with its good times
Love this Bev! Such an encouraging story where strong characters prevail though in small numbers!
Hank
Well, Bev ... Garth is a master of ballads and everything Country in between. I believe he could sing these lyrics as beautifully as you composed them! Brava.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy the son listened to his mom, worked hard and lived his life so well. Well done Bev!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely takes a good Momma, otherwise boys are risky business! This does remind me of a country song. That opening really sets up his risk from the get-go! 👏👏
ReplyDeleteGood for him, glad he had his momma's sense.
ReplyDeleteHooray for this man and his momma! There is a lot to be learned in the school of hard knocks...
ReplyDeletecarries the flavor of a mid 20th-century success story ~
ReplyDeleteWhen someone believes in us it makes anything possible.
ReplyDeleteStellar opening to this one, Bev! 💝💝 Sometimes we just need to believe in ourselves!
ReplyDeleteI love all that it tells... and also how it can be possible... love the opening.
ReplyDeleteMomma knows best and no one can deny it in this case.
ReplyDeleteA great poem Beverly! It is so important to have that voice speaking hope in our minds. The person who believes in us breathes life into our soul!
ReplyDelete