My mother
now old
once long ago
put Miss Harper Valley PTA to shame

My mother
with a quick wit
and sharp tongue
built a reputation to keep her safe.

My mother
smoked ***
drank Blackberry Brandy
and raised three radicals alone when it just wasn't done.

My mother
looked for love
settled for security... but never for long
too high of a price.

My mother
devoured books
had an artists' soul
mixed with a black widows heart.

My mother
is trapped
between what she knows
and what she says.

My mother
is embarrassed, confused
and angry
refusing to yield as she always has.

My mother
needs me now
yet has too much pride
and doesn't want crude judgments.

My mother
taught me her best
(and worst) tricks
and I use them on her often.

My mother
is at the end of her life
keeping long promised answers
locked tightly inside her.

My mother
has never let anyone
understand her
but me.