Mother’s Anguish
Apple tree blossoms shaped like your tears
Your daddy’s letter stained and worn
I’ll be home soon he promised to you
The hospital took him and didn’t give him that
Your breaking heart you leave in the tree
You wail, brother, dear brother, why did you go
Off to the Navy where they took him from you
You shake your fist at the sky
Who’s going to walk you down the aisle
Bitter tears soak your pillow at night
Boarding school where you’ll live for a while
No one there’s allowed to cry
Down inside you’re twisted and torn
Numbness sets in but outside you’re smiling
No apple trees to climb in this place
Handsome man with a Navy suit smiles
Your daddy, your brother, you see in his face
Your heart is caught in a warm embrace
It’s not wise, be careful your mother warns
Your knight has arrived you think to yourself
Blushing young bride unaware of your pain
Children will fill your void and spaces
Housewifely duties you grudgingly fulfill
Three children born, then two die,
Your pain you drown with your liquid friend
Lingering pain poisons all those around
Seeping in the pores of your children's souls
You can't go back so you steam ahead
Stepping over all the bodies you leave
Father forgive me
