She can’t leave her garden it’s a labor of love.
She’s there in the morning, hands in her gloves,
and dusk finds her still there, as the ceiling falls.
A day in her garden just says it all.
 
She mothers her garden I watch from across the road.
It’s her little bit of heaven, her world, or so I’m told.
It’s not a large plot, about twenty feet square.
Size doesn’t matter in the garden
when there’s an abundance of love to share.
I’m addicted, I watch from afar
as she puts her hands in the dirt, pulling high grass and weeds,
she’s a gardening superstar.
 
The garden is in full bloom, the colors quite rogue.
The scrubs blossom sublime, glistening as she gives them a soak.
In her garden she holds dear
the memories of days gone by and those no longer here.
She replays them as she lifts her prayers,
a life of good and love is what she shares.
 
Her garden gives her refuge,
there, amongst the flowers, now grown quite huge.
There is a peace that settles on her, of that there’s no doubt.
See it as the magic springs about?
It’s her safe haven, her place to play,
the place she replenishes because she gives so much away.
Her garden gives her presence,
second only to her family, who anchor her life;
She’s mother, friend, committed lover and wife.
She has a heart full of gold,
she’s quite courageous and giving, loving and bold.
 
The lady loves her flowers.
Her garden one can’t deny,
it keeps on giving and giving to those who wander by.
Even in late October, when the scrubs and flowers take plight,
as they feel winter coming and retreat for the night.
Although the seasons may change, and her garden fade away,
She blesses us all, because the memories still stay.
 
She can’t leave her garden it’s a labor of love.
She’s there in the morning, hands in her gloves,
and dusk finds her still there, as the ceiling falls.
A day in her garden just says it all.

I remembered what you always said,
our wounded and lost, are wounded and lost no more.
They fought gallantly and won the war.
 Lonely and lost, we shouldn’t be,
their sacrifice and bravery set us free.
 
They travel with us each and everyday
and sometimes, they seem to help us find our way.
They’re not our shadows, silhouetted against a red brick wall,
they’re there when we’re walking straight, they’re there when we fall.
 
They’re in the azure skies as they cast their glow
they’re there when we’re searching for what we need to know.
 They never stand in opposition as we strive to find our way,
 as we cast the die in our lives, each and every day.
 
Sometimes, we wake and we think they have left us, simply gone.
But they never leave us, they always tag along.
Because no matter how scared we are to be left alone,
our hearts know the truth, it holds the key, not a tombstone.
An integral part of who and what we are,
steadfast guardians, they never wander far.
 
I can no longer reach out and touch you,
an ache searing through and through.
Your courage, your love, always on my heart and mind,
your unwillingness to leave a single one behind.
Because you’re with me, I’m never lost,
just a bit misplaced among the human race.

 I remembered what you always said
Our wounded and lost, are wounded and lost no more,
they fought gallantly and won the war.
 Lost and at odds, we must not be,
their sacrifice and bravery, the cost that keeps us free.

If you are lost, I will find you.
If you are discouraged, I will encourage you.
If you are lame, I will give you my feet.
If you are hungry, I will give you something to eat.
If you are angry, I will appease you.
If you are broke, I will support you.
If you are tired, I will offer you my bed.
If you are mindless, I will offer you my head.
If you are tearful, I will dry your eyes for you.
If you need a change, I'll be there for the view.
If you are foolish, I will give you a wise man.
If you need a voice, I'll give you a stand.
If you need love, I'll love you to death.
Anything else you need, I’ll give to you without reprieve.
 I’ll extend to you as far as I can, my helping hand.
 
So, what is a friend?
One who, when tested, is true
and doesn't waiver or cave as a rule.
Who stands up tall and straight,
and always fights for what’s right.

Now there's two of us bonded
to put up that good fight.
For each other we'll be there ‘til the bitter end.
​Yes, yes, yes, my friend, ‘til the bitter end.

Will you carry my future?
Will you carry my pride?
Will you carry my water, caught up in the tide?
 
Will you carry my heartbreak?
Will you carry the sky?
Will you carry the day as I watch it go by?
Will you carry my mistakes?
Will you carry my lies?
My false assertions? My alibis?
 
My shoulders are weakened, my knees, they don’t hold.
I can’t really look at myself, I look feeble, I look old.
My strength is waning, I’ve lost all my fight.
I might make it through the day, but I’m not sure of the night.
 
Will you carry my future?
Will you carry my pride?
Will you carry my water, caught up in the tide?
Will you carry my dreams?
Will you carry my smile?
It might be fragile I’ve not used it in a while.
 
I’m rattled and antsy, I can’t get out of my own way.
I’m stalled on the highway and here I might stay.
I feel forgotten; a lost soul at best.
 I’m exhausted and flustered I just need a rest.
 
Can you carry my heart and put it back in place?
I lost it last night, I almost abandoned the race.
Can you carry my hopes that I might love again?
Will you carry my friendship and never let it end?
 
I’ll be there for you to carry the same,
 it’s real life we’re living, it’s no foolish game.
I’ll carry your misfortune and the blessings when they come.
I’ll be there for you as you’ve been for me, utterly fearsome.
 
Will you carry my future?
Will you carry my pride?
Will you carry my water, caught up in the tide?

We’ve seen her anguish.
We’ve seen her cry.
We’ve seen her stare life down,
straight in the eye.

We’ve seen her fight for her family,
and its good name.
We’ve seen her put liars to roost
and cheaters to shame.

There’s just no one we love more,
whose voice we want to hear.
She’s the den mother to us all,
she is our Mama Bear.
 
We’ve seen how she responds
when her men go to war.
She knows the price of the freedom
her family is fighting for.

She doesn’t take any push back.
She doesn’t take any lip.
She’s the fastest gun in town,
she can shoot from either hip.

She’ll not tolerate our being wayward,
 we’d better adhere to her very last word.
She’ll send us packing until we repent.
Oh the payback is heavy, now, we have to pay rent.
 
Yes, we’re no longer the center of the family show,
our youthful antics have lost their glow.
She’s allowed for our screw-ups, she’s allowed for our fun,
there’s a different kind of mothering, since we turned twenty-one.

We’ve grown beyond the den,
she’s let us go, but mothering doesn’t ever end.
We still need Mama’s counsel to keep our feet on the ground.
She keeps us straight and true, even when not around.

As tender as she can be,
she can still strike the fear of the Lord in everyone,
most especially in me.
She’s gentle and grace filled and can deal with it all,
a multitasker supreme, she never retreats.
She’s the core of our family, she’s answered the call,
and no matter where she goes, loved by everyone she meets.

There’s just no one we love, 
or who loves us more,
whose voice we want to hear.
She’s the den mother to us all,
she is our Mama Bear.