Erren Geraud Kelly’s most recent poem to appear here was Stephen (August 2015).
For Mama
By Erren Geraud Kelly
when i got the news
i forgot about work and my grades
which is what sons do
i ran as fast as i could
not knowing
last night she went to bed
with a fire burning in her head
i forgot about her jesus being right
and my way being wrong
when her left side collapsed
i forgot about the dead hand
chastising me
but only how it tended roses
or fried chicken
when i saw her again alive
she talked as if it had never happened
complaining about being bedridden.
Very, very telling, perfect pacing and spot on insights.
Powerful. This really touched home with me.
For Mama is a beautiful and poignant poem although it left me with questions. I think it was either a son’s dream or perhaps his mama had had a stroke.