Mother's Spit

MOTHER’S SPIT


I REMEMBER
BEING SPIT POLISHED
BEFORE CHURCH
WITH MOTHER’S SPIT


I ALSO REMEMBER
HAVING MY CLOTHING WET CLEANED
BEFORE BEING SENT OUT INTO THE WORLD

AND BRUISES AND CUTS
WERE STARTED ON THE WAY TO HEALING
WITH THE SAME

MOTHER’S SPIT
MIRACLE POTION
HEALING TEARS
WHILE RESTORING
A CRYING FACE
TO ITS ORIGINAL SHINE

SOMETIMES I LONG FOR MOTHER’S SPIT
TO PUT THE WORLD BACK TO WHERE IT WAS

I LOOK AT MY GRANDCHILDREN
AND ALL THE BACTERIA
KILLING PRODUCTS

AND KNOW THEY'LL NEVER REPLACE
A MOTHER’S
ANXIOUS
AND LOVING FACE
SAYING LOOK AT YOU NOW
PLAYING STICK BALL
IN YOUR SUNDAY CLOTHES
COME HERE WHILE I FIX YOU

AND LIKE JESUS
BENDING OVER
THE BLIND MAN
THE DEAF MAN
SHE'D RESTORE ME
TO PRISTINE GLORY
AND SEND ME ON MY WAY


FRANK A VOLLMER