LIL’O THINGS OF MAMA
All those countless nights I cried,
Annoying everyone but you. No matter how odd an hour, it was only you Who stayed up and after me looked. Oh! How little it seemed just a song to me sing But that’s what mattered to me the most.
And when in your loving arms I was taken, I couldn’t help but leap for joy. One that is only known In a loving mother’s arms. Oh! How little that may seem but That is what to me that mattered most.
And as I grew into a world of uncertainty Just the sound of your voice, Your sweet melodious voice, Or the mere sight of you That beautiful ebony face, Was all I needed to feel secure. Oh! How little it seemed just a song to sing But that’s what mattered to me the most.When I played
And messed things up, As I often tended to do Trashing about the place Breaking and ‘fixing’, Your sweet songs Were used after a scold. Oh! How little it seemed just a song to me sing But that’s what mattered to me the most.
And when everyone else deserted me You alone were there by my side. Oh! How little it seemed just to hug me But that’s what mattered to me the most.
Even when sick I was, Which I am told I always was, It was you alone That suffered the most, carrying both our pains. Oh! How little it seemed just a song to me sing But that’s what mattered to me the most.
Sleep you hardly got, worried sick you always were Wondering what would happen. Oh! How little it seemed just to sing a song to me But that’s what mattered the most to me.
And although naughty I got from time to time You were always understanding and patient With my teenage folly, misgiving and mischief. Oh! How little it may have been just playing Along with me but those are the most important memories Of my youth and that’s what matters the most.
Now a fully grown man I am I can’t but wonder how foolish I was Neither can I fail to notice now That those lil’o things were all That made me who I am.
Oh! Lil’o things of my MAMA!!! Oh! How lil’o they always are Oh! Your lil’o ways of being sweet Lil’o deeds that mattered the most Lil’o acts that will always matter the most Lil’o favors that I’m always asking Lil’o favors that I always get willingly done Lil’o pieces of advice of life’s hidden secrets And that little smile when I am down Lil’o chats on Lil’o things Yet touching me to my inner being All these Lil’o things you never stopped giving Mama Are quite small as the woman who makes the petite Yes the very lil’o things of life
Matter the very best of all.
D. Othniel Forte
