Mother's Day 2012

On Mother's Day, a poem by one of my favourite centemporary dub poets, Levi Tafari:

Levi Tafari

THE FIRST WOMAN IN MY LIFE

A woman’s work is never done
If you don’t believe me ask my mum
She worked her fingers to the bone
To provide us with a decent home
If she lived in Ancient Rome
She could of built that city on her own
She cooks, she cleans
She does everything
She irons decorates and does the shopping
She chastised us when we were rude
But never sent us to bed with out food
Everyday she would change our clothes
If we had colds she would wipe our nose
Or if we went to mum with a problem
Mum would always help us solve them
We didn’t want for anything
We got the greatest gift mum’s loving
You can have ten aunties and scores of lovers
But remember you only have one mother
I remember when someone pointed the finger
Mum said I was Black, beautiful and I had a culture
She always made sure we went to school
Because in this life you can’t be a fool
You see people will ride you like a mule
It was mum who taught me to be cool
So mother there’s something I want you to know
I love you mum, I love you so
You taught me to survive in the ghetto
You can have my last ROLO
If it was not for you then I would not exist
So here it comes for you a kiss
Yes you was the first woman in my life
But one day I will take a wife
Then hopefully she’ll become a mum
A woman’s work is never done.

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/sites/teacheng/files/liverpool_poems.pdf

Happy Mother's Day, Mom(s)!