One Tough Broad

For my mother. RIP

Lady you were one tough broad
Brooklyn accent and all
Surrounded by a bunch of okies
They never saw you fall

Living in that house full of boys
All you ever pumped out
You were the testosterone queen
That's what you were about

You were cursed right from your birth
A polio baby you were
It left you twisted spine half crippled
God was being absurd

I remember the fateful day you died
I was devastated
Already lost my wife and the Corps
My life was being berated

Hundreds of folks were at your funeral
You would have had a blast
You always were a party girl
You wanted fun to last

God I miss you so much sometimes
I want to curl up and cry
For the life you never got to live
For all those last goodbyes

I love you so much I always will
The torch within my heart
It just f*****g kills me lady
This world you had to part

Author's Note

My mother past away on Christmas day 2008 at the age of 56 from complications of Kypho Skoliosis. A severe curvature of the spine caused by Polio when she was an infant. She wasn't suppose to live past 18 she lived to 56. She wasn't suppose to have any kids she had 3. (All boys) If she had been normal no doubt she would have stayed in NYC and not married my Father (he knocked her up) and moved to Camden South Carolina with a bunch of dumb hill billies. She talked about New York constantly and visited every chance she got and bringing us boys with her when she could. She always encouraged us to get as far away from Camden as possible as soon as we were old enough. She knew what a miserable little nothing town it was and thanks to all our trips to NYC so did her sons. None of her boys live in Camden SC. My mother was a testament to sheer will. She was one tough broad.

Reviews

[Rita L. Sev]

Sort of a ballad about and an ode to your strong mother, well and meaningfully written. From what I have read of your poems, I think you got a good bit of her toughness.

[Baby Ricochet]

lol! Yes I do. Thank you for stopping by Rita.

[Jack...]

Very nice tribute to your mom, sir.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Jack

[Will]

Being born and raised in Brooklyn, I've come across my fair share of tough broads. Judging from this excellent poem, your mother was no exception. Great piece, Ricochet, I really liked it. You did a great job with the rhyme scheme, and it flowed very nicely.

[Baby Ricochet]

thank you will

[jacob erin-cilberto]

my second ex is from brooklyn..they make them tough there.

this is quite a sad and moving tribute to her...well done, baby...well done...especially liked the sentiment in the 5th stanza.

jacob

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you jacob

[redflutterby]

I was blessed to have some women like this in my life. My grandmother and her sisters. They had rough lives and it made then tough broads. They took no s**t and loved you like you were the only thing they had in this world!! Thanks for sharing this piece of love... ;-)

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you A.M.S.

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

BR, this is a wonderful tribute that touched the very core of my heart.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Neva

[Shadey Jadey]

First, let me say I am very sorry for your loss. It is never easy when a loved one passes, but their memory lives on. Your mother was a very strong woman. You are a one hell of as guy. Tough, but with a soft side. This is a beautiful tribute to your Mum, nicely penned. :) Xx

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Shadey

[BlueDreams]

First of all i am feeling very sorry for your loss..
Your mother was a really strong women..
May she Rest In peace..
This poem is like a gift to her,remembering her and passing your love to her..
Very nicely penned down my friend.. :)

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Swapz

[BlueDreams]

My pleasure big bro .. :) Feel free to send me read requests and to review mine as well .. :)

[quinfinn]

and it takes a hell of a tough broad to raise such a tough (and tender hearted) jarine such as yourself...be proud, be very proud. she sounds like one hell of a woman! i love her already. wonderful tribute, Mark. well done!

[Baby Ricochet]

Thanks bro

[quinfinn]

anytime