May God
Overflow love
Through you,
Hour after hour.
Every day,
Render love to a weeping-child world!

There was dancing at the funeral;
wild, wind-swept and whirling.
A testament to a life spent unfurling sails and fighting for a better future.
"She was a doctor, your mama" as if I didn't know. "One of the first to say,
'Man, stop calling me a girl,
I'm a professional
and hell, I'll swear like one too.'"

She started her family in this city,
and made every borough within arms reach.
Patients were closer than cousins,
and my aunts spent less time here than the women's wing of the ACLU.

Black is not a way to mourn, but to warn.
A message shouting "Stand clear, this soul is moving on."
Best prepare afterlife, cause this one made a difference here,
and she'll sure-as-**** start something over there.

Well son, I have to tell,
Yesterday, I fell,
For you,I could not yell,
Across the ocean you dwell.

On the floor I lay,
For help I pray,
The maid, she gone away,
I could not call you anyway,
Across the ocean you stay.

Arthritis hurting my bones,
Nobody hears my moans,
I cannot tell you, my own,
For I  hurt when I hold the phone.

One time my diabetes shoot up,
Doc says,"Lady, what's up?"
Too much sugar or stress,
Better take it easy and rest.
I smile and keep mum,
I can't tell him,my son I miss some,
To mama he can't come,
For he stay far from my home.

Son, you gonna know,
Mama love you so,
Visit mama once,
Over the ocean,hasten,cover the distance.

she smears her lips
with mama's red crayons.

(then
she swallows them whole)

lips like sour cherries,
puckered ,
                  swollen .

wiping her eyes on soft
tissue,
blood stains instead.

I opened my eyes and saw a light
You were together with papa- smiling so bright
Not knowing anything nor speak anything.
All I knew was I came with a life.

First word, First step, First Laugh.
You and papa would cry out of joy
Thinking those days and wondering why?
Why didn't I appreciated it before?

Toys, food, and clothes
You allowed me to choose things I want.
Crying, begging and screaming
Then, you promised to buy it when you have enough.

Those things I couldn't do, you supported me.
Times I needed someone, you comforted me.
Things I didn't know, you taught me.
You saw right through me.