Friday 8 February 2013

For Alice Velma Hill, 1915-2013


I salute our mom in those daytime hours
in the city after dry years and war years
and small town years. Here was
a new house, the first
she and dad ever owned, beige
split-level, nothing around but mud.

I salute our mom in those daytime hours
in her picture window, bedrooms (four)
bathrooms (two), L-shaped
living room, rumpus room and new
washer/dryer. It must have been quiet
with dad at work, us kids at school.

I salute our mom in those daytime hours.
We rushed home at noon for lunch
and dad lay down for a snooze
and we all rushed off leaving mom
the housework and shopping,
the Thursday afternoons at the rink.

I salute our mom in those daytime hours.
After school we’d practice
our piano or horn to play
“I Left My Heart in San Francisco”.
Mom from the kitchen would say
“I like that one”.

I salute our mom in those daytime hours
we always came home to.

8 comments:

Brenda Schmidt said...

That's lovely, Gerry. My condolences.

Gerald Hill said...

Thank you, Brenda.

Emmaline said...

Thanks Dad ♥

Gerald Hill said...

Thanks, Em. And a P.S.: She wouldn't hurt a fly, unless it tried to land on her angel food cake.

J Thue said...

Beautiful poem, Gerry. My condolences as well.

Gerald Hill said...

Thank you, Joni.

Shelley Banks said...

Lovely. And sad.

Gerald Hill said...

Thanks, Ms B. Couldn't get through it at the service.