Raised to be Totally Independent
I knew my mother very well.
In fact...
We were related.
By birth.
Somehow folks that knew us both,
Either did not know that or accept
My mother and I knew each other before
Many of them did.
Many people would come to me,
To say what kind of person she was.
As if I was a visitor...
That showed up on the holidays.
I am the result of my mother's teachings.
And I hope I've done her lessons well.
In fact...
When I had been just a kid at 18,
And had enlisted in the military.
My training instructors were amazed
That I was so disciplined.
I already knew how to iron, sew, cook and clean.
Many of those things some guys struggled,
Through.
As they endured basic training.
People without military training aren't aware...
If mama wasn't there,
Uncle Sam ensured those things got done!
Or no guy would survive on just learning how to clean a gun.
My mama didn't pack no gun.
But she knew what was best for her son!
And to a large degree...
My mama prepared me to confront the enemy.
My ex-wives!
And I say that kind of jokingly.
But I was raised to be totally independent,
Since I can remember.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Long Before I Had Joined The Military
It was nearing the end of boot camp.
Eight weeks of basic training was nearing an end,
And my training instructor called me out of the ranks...
To say this to me,
'Horse'...a nickname he had given to me.
His name was Sargeant Russell.
Sgt Russell said to me,
'Horse, every time I've asked you to do ten laps,
You would do one more.
When I ask you to do thirty push ups,
You do thirty five.
And when your bunk is perfectly made,
After I've bounced a quarter on it...
To then rip the bed apart to shout, 'Do-it-again'
You do...
As if nothing at all is bothering you.
You want me to take you for granted!
Don't you?
You want me to believe you are a fool.
I am wise to you.
Now shut up and file your ass back in line! '
Oh...
I had not said one word.
The guys listening had expected me to.
I was all of eighteen then.
And the only thing that was on my mind,
Was to pass basic training.
Those who didn't...
Went A.W.O.L....away without leave.
I wasn't about to go anywhere.
And to this day,
I think about those comments made,
By Sgt Russell.
'You want me to take you for granted.
You want me to think you are a fool,
Don't you? '
And I thought as I still do...
He knew me too well.
He knew if he demanded I'd wear stilettos shoes,
Adorned with a red dress and a blond wig...
I would still be a better man than he thought I was.
You see...
My mama was my very first drill instructor.
Sgt Russell hadn't had the opportunity to meet her,
To know how prepared I was...
Long before I joined the military.
And I was proud to be a 'mama's boy'.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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My Mama Didn't Raise No Punk
Let me say this...
My mama didn't raise no punk!
Not when she would slam dunk me,
Away from public view.
Or dared me not to do those things,
She told me to.
Or take my time!
Mama came from the old school.
And she didn't hesitate,
To strike fire to my behind.
Let me say this...
My mama didn't raise no punk!
She knew exactly what she was doing with me.
She raised me to become independent.
Not a chump.
I was raised to use my mind.
And defend my thoughts!
And any gift I got from mama,
Is was bought for me because it was earned!
Like those whippings for my backtalk.
My mama didn't have easy lessons taught.
None that I remember were for me quickly learned.
But over time I did.
Since I didn't like to sit...
On a burned butt after getting whipped!
Eventually they sunk in...
Those lessons.
Deep.
To stay.
If I was ever to become a punk...
It was going to be done mama's way.
With a tormenting whipping,
As she held me,
Screaming...
'I've got it, if you want it.
And you're going to get it good.
What's my name? '
Mama.
'What is it? '
Mama.
'And don't you forget it!
Who's your mama? '
You're my mama, mama!
'That's right!
And don't you forget it,
Not one bit.
Or I'll be back to give you more...
Of some of this.
Don't play with me, boy! '
Dedicated:
My Mother, Edna Pearl Roberts (Prudhomme) Pertillar
And my paternal Grandmother, Clara Louise Countryman Pertillar
'Thank you! '
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Travelin' Man
The man i loved ran a salesman route
Selling goods from house to house
Now i knew my mama would never stand
For me stepping out with no traveling man
Mama bought things that he was a'selling
But mama didn't know and i sure wasn't telling
That behind her back i was making plans
To meet somewhere with that traveling man
Oh the traveling man was a good bit older
But a girl needs arms to hold her
Mama didn't know 'cause i didn't told her
But mama wouldn't understand
Me stepping out with a traveling man
Mama didn't allow me a'going courting
And i'd tell lies that i reckon i oughtn't
Oh but she'd a'give me the back a' her hand
If she'd a'seen me with that traveling man
So i tell my mama that i reckon i oughta
Go to the spring and fetch us some water
What mama didn't know is i had a plan
To meet down there with that traveling man
Now i make plans to run away
With that traveling man on a saturday
Well saturday's here and here i stand
And there goes my mama with that traveling man
Oh that traveling man was a two-time lover
He took my love then he took my mother
But i didn't know 'cause mama didn't told me and i don't understand
My mama running off with my traveling man
Mama, you know you oughtn't a'done that
You just like my daddy
He run off before i ever knowed him
You done run-off with my traveling man
And i really don't think i ever knowed you either
Oh there goes my mama with my traveling man
And i'm really gonna miss that traveling man
Mm-hm
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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My Mama, My Lovely Mother
When at infancy, I wee inside her food
She never stop eating
my mama, my lovely mother
When am ill and sad, healthy and happy,
She keep praying for me
my mama, my lovely mother
When I started crawling,
Tears of affection made her eyes heavy
my mama, my lovely mother
When I walk, her fear increases,
That I might go the wrong way
and get hurt
my mama, my lovely mother
When she look at me,
Her gaze always ask me,
How are you my child
my mama, my lovely mother
When am sick, it brings out
The doctor in her
my mama, my lovely mother
I never grow old for her tender love,
Oh! God bless my mother and make
Her proud of me
my mama, my lovely mother
poem by Michael Odor
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Please wait
Please wait
‘O’ Moon,
‘O’ Moon uncle,
Plz give us money and medicine for my mother.
She is ill and on the bed.
Our mama (Maternal uncle) ,
Who is very kind and of helping nature is away from us.
Mother says that you are also our CHANDA Mama (Moon uncle)
So plz give us what ever we need.
The little child was praying to the moon
Who was blooming in the sky?
Her mother told him
‘O’ my child
This Moon uncle is also very kind and generous
And has only coolness and brightness.
He is giving all these things not only to us
also all those who are living on this Earth.
So, plz wait to your Mama (Maternal uncle) .
He will sure come and will give us money and medicine.
poem by Vijay Gupta
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Oh! My Mama, Happy Mother's Day!
Oh! My mama, happy mother’s day
You are the greatest mother I have ever had
You are my mother today
You will be my mother tomorrow
You are always my mother
You will forever be my mother
Thank you my mother for bringing me into this world
Thank you my mother for taking care of me in your womb
Thank you my mother caring for me as a toddler
Thank you my mother for feeding me since I was a baby
Thank you my mother for all the clothes you bought for me
Thank you my mother for teaching me good manners at home
Thank you my mother for sending me to school
Thank you my mother for supervising my homework
Thank you my mother for ensuring I eat before going to school
Thank you my mother for all the regular pocket money
Thank you my mother for liking my friends
Thank you my mother for all the everyday advices
My mother always remind me that fingers are not equal
As I grow up, I have seen the correlation of this analogy
To many human beings, neighbors, societies and nationalities
Oh! My mama, thank you for your words of wisdom
My mother taught me many things that I have never read in books
Thank you my mother for all your guiding philosophies
Oh! My mama, I sincerely wish everyday could be Mother’s Day
One day in a year is not enough to thank my wonderful mother
Oh! My mama, I will forever be your child
Oh! My mama, you will eternally be my mother
Thank you my mother for being my best friend
Thank you my mother for being my trusted adviser
I honestly wish you HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
poem by Julius Babarinsa
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Oh! My Mama, Happy Mother's Day!
Oh! My mama, happy mother's day
You are the greatest mother I have ever had
You are my mother today
You will be my mother tomorrow
You are always my mother
You will forever be my mother
Thank you my mother for bringing me into this world
Thank you my mother for taking care of me in your womb
Thank you my mother caring for me as a toddler
Thank you my mother for feeding me since I was a baby
Thank you my mother for all the clothes you bought for me
Thank you my mother for teaching me good manners at home
Thank you my mother for sending me to school
Thank you my mother for supervising my homework
Thank you my mother for ensuring I eat before going to school
Thank you my mother for all the regular pocket money
Thank you my mother for liking my friends
Thank you my mother for all the everyday advices
My mother always remind me that fingers are not equal
As I grow up, I have seen the correlation of this analogy
To many human beings, neighbors, societies and nationalities
Oh! My mama, thank you for your words of wisdom
My mother taught me many things that I have never read in books
Thank you my mother for all your guiding philosophies
Oh! My mama, I sincerely wish everyday could be Mother's Day
One day in a year is not enough to thank my wonderful mother
Oh! My mama, I will forever be your child
Oh! My mama, you will eternally be my mother
Thank you my mother for being my best friend
Thank you my mother for being my trusted adviser
I honestly wish you HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
poem by Bikramjyoti Kashyop
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Mama's Boy
Who held me responsible,
and accountable for my actions?
My mama.
Who made sure I did my chores...
with a buttoned lip and no back talk?
Doing what I did...
and her voice I would not ignore?
My mama.
When I made a face that was out of place,
and mumbled my thoughts...
I just knew she couldn't 'trace'.
Mama would say, 'Do what I say, boy...
and fix that face! '
Mama's boy is a man now.
And every step I take...
Is done without excuses.
Because my mama didn't allow me to fake!
Or look for an easy 'out' to make!
She knew for me there would be few easy breaks.
And taught me what it was to love...
As she surprised me with a wink!
Served with ice cream...
and a slice of my favorite cake!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Cuts
She cuts her wrist,
Watch the blood drip,
She rip she soul out,
She cries at night,
There is no light shinning through her,
There is cuts everywhere,
Scars of remainder of her past,
Scars that won’t fade or wash away,
She brought this on herself,
She knew what she was doing,
She didn’t care to think that people cared for her,
She thought she was weak,
She tries not weep,
She never knew herself,
She never had the gaudiness of a mother,
She wanted a mother figure but never knew she would act out on the anger towards of a mother she never knew,
This girl is me.
poem by Jennifer Rondeau
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Mama Would You
For Mother's Day
Mama would you
Hold your baby tight
Tell me a bedtime story
To make the bad dreams go away
Mama would you
Always and forever
Be mine
On mother's day
Mama would you
Play a game with me
Chutes and ladders or candyland
Don't matter to me
As long as we're together
Mama would you
Grant me this wish
Be all mine on mother's day
Mama would you
Maybe share a cookie or a glass of milk
Let me tell you all about
My day away at school
Mama would you
Smile and say you'll be mine
On mother's day
Mama would you
Let me have a cute little kitty
One to call all my own
Or a doggie so smart
He could do all my homework
Mama would you
Stay forever mine
On mother's day
2008 Ramona Thompson
poem by Ramona Thompson
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I Remember
Writer Dolly Parton
Copyright 1973
I remember I remember I remember mama and daddy most of all
I remember meadows and fields of golden wheat
I remember songbirds and sugar cane so sweet
I remember lots of things that often I recall
But I remember mama and daddy most of all
I remember gingerbread my mama used to bake
And I remember home made toys that daddy used to make
Yes I remember many things that often I recall
But I remember mama and daddy most of all
I remember mama and daddy most of all
And our little country home they filled with love
I remember mama and daddy most of all
And all the things they did to make life happier for us
Yes I remember lots of things that often I recall
But I remember mama and daddy most of all
I remember candy that daddy used to bring I remember songs my mama used to sing
Oh I remember many things that often I recall
But I remember mama and daddy most of all
I remember mama and daddy most of all
And how they taught us children right from wrong
I remember mama and daddy most of all
How they used to hope and pray they'd live to see us grown
Oh I remember many things that often I recall
But I remember mama and daddy most of all
I remember I remember I remember mama and daddy most of all most of all
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Little Red Schoolhouse
The little red schoolhouse
was just down the road.
The dress she was wearin'
her mama sewed.
She'd watched her mama make it
with needle and thread.
Her mama was smilin'
from the words she had read.
Mama loved to hear her
read all the words she knew.
'Cause mama couldn't read them,
except for a few.
She said there was no schoolhouse
when she was young.
And most of the words she learned
were from songs that had been sung.
The little red schoolhouse
had only one room.
But every time she'd been in it
she was like a flower in bloom.
She knew she'd make her mama
very proud some day
for that little red schoolhouse
would show her the way.
She remembers that school bell
ringin' in the morn
and mama sayin' 'Rise up girl,
a new day has been born.'
She smiled now thinkin' back
and some tears it now brought,
not for the little red schoolhouse
but for what her mama had taught.
poem by Edwina Reizer
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Mama Laye
(myles goodwyn)
Published by slalom publishing co. - bmi
In a foreign land beneath a foreign sky
They speak of mama laye
They dont believe she died
The people raise their eyes
They said theyd sing a song
They ask the spirit world
Cause they know where shes gone
Shes never far away, mama laye, no
Shes never far away, mama laye, no, no no
They say she never sleeps
She never close her eyes
She speaks the magic tongue
Shes slowly hypnotized
Shes never far away, mama laye, no
Shes never far away, mama laye, no, no no
Shes never far away, mama laye, no
Shes never far away, mama laye, mama laye
They are as grains of sand
And then they are as one
They pray to mama laye
The father, mother, son
They say shes never far away, mama laye, no
Shes never far away, mama laye, no
Shes never far away, mama laye, no, no no
Shes never far away, mama laye, mama laye
Shes never far away, mama laye, no
Shes never far away, mama laye, no
Shes never far away, mama laye, no, no no
Shes never far away, mama laye, mama laye
song performed by by April Wine
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Old Black Kettle
Well I remember when I was just little
Mama used to cook on an old black kettle
On an old wood stove shed had since she was wed
Well the oven door was sprung a little bit
So we propped it up with a forked stick
But that didnt matter cause mama kept us fed
My mama and daddy must have loved each other
Cause I had eleven sisters and brothers
And the girls worked just as hard as the boys did
There was corn to hoe then wed go hoe it
We might have been poor but we didnt know it
Wed heard that word but we didnt know what it meant
Oh we used to have such a good life
And the days that I knew then are the happiest Ive known
And oh didnt we have such a good time
Its sad to think the old black kettles gone
Well there was nothing that pleased us any better
Than when we got an occasional letter
From kin folks livin up north in some big town
Wed think of all the games wed play
And we just couldnt hardly wait
When our city cousins said theyze a comin down
Now mamas done away with the old black kettle
She used to cook in when I was just little
And the door aint sprung on her electric range
That little farm and home we had
It aint there no more and thats too bad
Folks are doin away with the simple things
And oh we used to have such a good life
And the days that I knew then are the happiest Ive known
And oh didnt we have such a good time
Its sad to think the old black kettles gone
Now, I just mean to say the simple things are gone
The old black kettles gone
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Bible Verse
I asked the child why did she curse
Her answer was, she knew not a Bible verse
She never went to church or knew how to say a prayer
So all that she knew, was how to curse and swear,
I was told that her mother had taught her well
But never taught her about heaven or even hell
And all that she knew is from what she had read
While listening to the words that her mother had said.
I asked the child why did she lie
Her response to me, it is better than to cry
As things got bad and then they turned worse
That's all that she knew, and she knew not a Bible verse,
Her mother had told her the things not to do
But then they differed from other's points of view
And all the child knew was from what she had seen
As she watched her mother, which was unforeseen.
I asked the child why did she steal
Taking from others for a terrible ordeal
She answered me, as she placed the goods in her purse
'It is the way that I am', and I know not of a Bible verse
Someday soon I will probably smoke and drink
Spoke the child to me as she began to think
But then am I not the girl that my mother did raise
And every day to my mother, I give her praise.
I asked the child why did she fight
She then said to me, it's better than being polite
Her mother's honor again she had to defend
And fighting is all that she could comprehend
So the child then wiped the pain off of her face
As she slowly walked away in sadness and disgrace
The last thing she said to me as we did converse
She said, I truly wish that I knew a Bible verse.
Randy L. McClave
poem by Randy McClave
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Mama's Girl
A child I got my mother said
A blue eyed girl with just one curl
Upon that tiny head but still I bet
Someday braids will crown that face so red
The years flew by the body grew
And Mama said it still is you
Hard times have formed the mind
Important is be always kind
And so I grew to womanhood
A happy gal she knew I would
With children to the count of five
It made my life a busy beehive
I always remember my dear Mama
And teach my children her dogma
Hard time may not have formed their mind
But still I say, please always be kind.
poem by Ingeborg von Finsterwalde
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Traveling Man
The man I loved ran a salesman route
Selling goods from house to house
Now I knew my mama would never stand
For me stepping out with no traveling man
Mama bought things that he was aselling
But mama didnt know and I sure wasnt telling
That behind her back I was making plans
To meet somewhere with that traveling man
Oh the traveling man was a good bit older
But a girl needs arms to hold her
Mama didnt know cause I didnt told her
But mama wouldnt understand
Me stepping out with a traveling man
Mama didnt allow me agoing courting
And Id tell lies that I reckon I oughtnt
Oh but shed agive me the back a her hand
If shed aseen me with that traveling man
So I tell my mama that I reckon I oughta
Go to the spring and fetch us some water
What mama didnt know is I had a plan
To meet down there with that traveling man
Now I make plans to run away
With that traveling man on a saturday
Well saturdays here and here I stand
And there goes my mama with that traveling man
Oh that traveling man was a two-time lover
He took my love then he took my mother
But I didnt know cause mama didnt told me and I dont understand
My mama running off with my traveling man
Mama, you know you oughtnt adone that
You just like my daddy
He run off before I ever knowed him
You done run-off with my traveling man
And I really dont think I ever knowed you either
Oh there goes my mama with my traveling man
And Im really gonna miss that traveling man
Mm-hm
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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My Mother Had A Brother
My mother had a brother
They say that I was born on the day that he died
Someone to cling to, she said
When all the noises and the shame came calling
My mother had a brother
I thought I knew them all, I thought I knew
But she lied
I said, Show me his face again, tell me again why he died
She said he couldn't wait for the things that I've seen
She said he wasn't strong enough, he never dared to dream a life like mine
My mother had a brother
Over-sensitive and kind
Seems it all became too much for him..
It seems he took his own life
Mum, I can't imagine the joy and pain in equal measure
Tears in the dirt, and all over your newborn treasure
I guess he had to wait until my momma had me
I guess he couldn't wait another moment to be free
In endless sky..
But mama will you tell him from your boy
The times they changed
I guess the world was getting warmer
And we got stronger
Mother will you tell him about my joy
I live each day for him
The sun came out, yeah, and I'm just breathing it in
(breathing)
My mother had a brother
Same desire, different time
Seems the empty spaces tortured him
Until he took his own life
I don't know why I waited so long for love
I just don't know what I was thinking of..
All that wasted time
But mama will you tell him from your boy
The times they changed
I guess the world was getting warmer
While we got stronger
Mother will you tell him about my joy
I live each day with him
Your son came out, yeah,
And I'm still breathing it in
And I swear now that freedom is here
I'm gonna taste it all for you boy
I'm bad to the bone, I'm just a little torn
I'm making so much love
So those of us who have nothing to fear
We've got to make damn sure that it was worth it
I'm bad to the bone, I'm just a little stoned
I'm making so much love
I was a prisoner, but he saved me
Broke into my dreams and said, Who cares?
I was a prisoner, so disgrace me
I'm glad to be home
And I don't believe they care.
song performed by by George Michael
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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She Did It
(eric carmen)
I set to sea on a ship called emptiness
Cast away on the island of loneliness
Lookin for love
Ooh, and I was lookin for love
(you know)
I didnt think she could hear my s.o.s.
But she appeared like an angel of tenderness
Sent from above
Oh, she was bringing me love
Oh, mama, she did it
Woh mama, she did it, yeah
Ooh, she did it
Woh mama, she did it, yeah
Looking back, making love was meaningless
Till she touched me with her warmth
And a gentleness Id never known
Ooh, and she was guiding me home
(now I)
Now I see all the things in life I missed
Till she opened up my eyes to the limitless
Wonder of love
Oh, and now Im ready for love
Oh, mama, she did it
Woh mama, she did it, yeah
Ooh, she did it
Woh mama, she did it, yeah
I never knew what love was about
Till she came and stole away my heart
Now Im alive and I know it
And all I ever wanna do is show it
(oh yeah)
Oh, mama, she did it
Woh mama, she did it, yeah
Ooh, she did it
Woh mama, she did it, yeah
song performed by by Eric Carmen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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We Knew But Didn’t Know
Occasionally people come into our lives,
people we knew but didn’t know.
We knew them from our early years
before life sent us in different directions.
Years would pass before we met again
with this person we knew but didn’t know.
The passing years had changed us both,
wiser but strangers no less.
In the exchanges that follows a friendship grows.
A friendship that was never there before
with this person we knew but didn’t know.
Everything happens for a reason
and the reason is not for us to know.
In meeting it changes us, ignites a flame within,
a flame of caring given a chance should have been.
Now in maturity we get to know that person
we knew but didn’t know.
What the future holds is as uncertain as tomorrow,
but we walk towards it with this friend,
a person we knew but didn’t know.
27 March 2009
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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