Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

(The Boomerang Poem For My Mother,

Mrs. Earnestine Carraway Jackson)

Copyright 2008 By: “THE PO’ FOLK’S POET, Mr. Marion Obafemi

And Inspired by God

While flipping through the pages in the memory book of my mind

I discovered something strange about this thing called time.

I saw where you nursed me, burped me and watched me as I grew

When I pressed rewind, on this thing called time, I noticed a change in you.

With every passing day, as the sun shinned in my face, I began to bud and grow tall

But, time has taken its toll, on this once vibrant rose, whose pedals have begun to fall.

Your hair is like leaves, that fall from the trees, and lose color as the seasons change

It is as grey as the skies, when the tears from God’s eyes, pour from the clouds like rain.

The bone in your back, made a home out of this shack, and was our source of strength

Carrying the weight of this world, with 5 boys and 4 girls, explains why now it’s bent.

One thing you told me, to shape and mold me, and influence the things I do

Is that you reap what you sow, and lies can’t grow, if the seed you planted is true.

You robbed Pete to pay Paul, no mountain was too tall, for you when we called for help

The least I can do, is the same for you, in the time that we have left.

Now that the tables have turned, let me show what I’ve learned, as I watched you through the years

I have received your love and your time, your patience so kind, now it’s my turn to give.

Whether it’s bad or good, it must be understood, that you get paid for the things you do

You planted a good seed, by doing your good deeds, now sit back and enjoy the fruit.

Since Mother Nature and Father Time have joined forces with the wind

To slow down your step, affect your health, so now you wear depends.

I’ll be changing your pampers, and washing the dirty clothes in the hamper, like you did for me back then

I’ll be flapping your jacks like Aunt Jemima and cooking rice like Uncle Ben.

I’ll clean your house, put food in your mouth, and be eyes for you to see

I’ll give you my last, even give you a bath, just like you did for me.

When it’s time to be fed, I’ll eat the crust of the bread, take the beans and I’ll take the juice

You ate scraps for food, wore hand-me down shoes, now I’m doing the same for you.

I’ll defend you when you’re weak, be quiet while you’re sleep, I’ll wash and comb your hair

I’ll say you’re right when you’re wrong, sit with you all night long, to show how much I care.

If your fire loses its spark, and your day gets dark, I’ll brighten it with a smile

When others get weary, or the path gets dreary, I’ll be there for every mile.

You have worked in God’s vineyard and served with all your might

He said that He would give pay for the things that you do right.

He didn’t tell us when we will get paid, where we will get paid or how

I’ll do my best to try to express the feelings that I have now.

What’s done in the dark must come to light and we’ll know what’s under the cover

You get what you give, you die as you live, and

“PAYBACK IS A MOTHER LOVER”.