Visitors

My mama taught me well
especially one fiery Alabama day
when she let me visit a friend's house
it had been my first time away
She yelled, "Be back before supper!
And you know when I serve the table!"
I replied, "Yes mama I know,
but I'm twelve and fully capable."
I visited my friend across the street
and we played until the sun grew weary.
Then suddenly a knock at the door
and the dreadful door's song began to carry.
She gave the woman a generous smile
and signaled me to take her hand
She choked my hand and I knew I had it comin
It was a quarter past eight and that was my last strand.
She waved goodbye to the woman at the door
a smile stained on her face
and when she turned in my direction
her grin was swiftly displaced.
I knew I was skatin' on thin ice
and that thin ice just broke
because when we crossed home's threshold
I was bawling at the first stroke.

I never forgot that lesson
years ago in my childhood times
not even when mama was hospitalized
because her heart didn't beat with the same rhymes.
On her final breathing day
I stood planted by her bedside
I gripped her aged, unstable hand
My attachment to her was implied.
She told me slowly and sweetly,
"Baby, don't hold me so tight.
Everybody answers the final summons
there's no need to put up a fight."
"But mama," I cried desperately,
"you have to stay with me.
You're the glue to my crippled heart,
the reason for my bravery!"
"Then use it now," she replied softly,
"Baby," I stood still awaiting her reply,
"Do you remember that fiery Alabama day?
The lesson about visiting you dared not defy?"
I shook my head breathlessly
"Visitin' is stayin' a while at a place
then when visitin' time's over, returnin' home
to eat supper with the family at the fireplace.
Well baby, my visitin' time has expired
I'm returnin' home to be with my family
flames are burning and dinner is waiting for me
and it's time to return home naturally."