Mama Knows

[couchgrouch]

Mama KnowsWhen I pulled up in my old Le Sabreby her cottage in Decaturshe was outside painting garden gnomesafter I unpacked a suitcaseshe served coffee and fruitcakebut she didn't ask how things were at homethough I sipped my coffeeand hardly say a wordthe hollow look in my eyeswas all that she heardcos mama knowsshe'd been waiting for me to comethere are times a man needs someone's adviceand no one in this world's as wisethat's just how life goesand mama knowsI broke down and said I didn't rememberwhy we'd argued...why I lost my tempercos I loved my son and my wifeI said I hoped I'd be forgivencos working long days to make a livin'is taking its toll on my lifewell mom cleared the dishesand the cupsshe said love's a giftyou don't wanna give upand mama knowsher man was exactly the same wayhe hoped working hard would end up paying offtill he saw all he saved was just time he lostthat's just how life goesand mama knowsI didn't even spend the nightI just kissed mom goodbyeand pushed it eighty the whole ridewhen my son met me at the doorI said my fam'ly was all I was livin' forhe told me with a tear in his eyemama knowsand she's just as sorry as youshe's been crying in her room alonecos a house without you ain't a homethat's just how life goesand mama knows(c)2005 Robert George