Momma's Little Man

The way she dressed him

little boy in short

pants and gray tam way

back then, the food she fed

porridge and toast

now unfamiliar to most –

today is sugar and lots

of dye, crunchy with

designs, missing the benefit

of home-cooking.  

The way she tucked him

in with a scary story

followed by a kiss, then hurry

off to school next day --

The way she looked at him

from a hospital bed, such

love in her eyes --

heart weakening even as her

son held momma’s hand

-- when she lay down her head

the very last time, he cried.