Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes

Mum said there were times
When they needed to trim the fat
Stretch life to the limit
Using on singular idea
Laugh in the grim face
Of the landlord demanding his rent
Endure the hunger pangs
She would dry our tears
Telling us this too will pass
Being the eldest of twelve
I knew mother had the will
To triumph over all adversity
She had a will of iron, a soul of titanium
My mother would never wilt
Her mind would never crack
Like grandads did
She could foil the canniest of men
With a word and the wink of her blue eyes
None could deny her charm
That’s my mum, a grand lady…

©anitadawes 2020