The Lessons my Mother Taught Me

Emmalynne Shumard

The lessons my mother taught me

are simple

and sane

 

My kindness

is their

invitation

 

In contract

is my

conversation

 

My attention

is an

obligation

 

Clothes

sewn

to advertise

 

My laughter

makes

a promise

 

A touch

marks

a sin

 

To blink

bats

an eyelash

 

A smile

twists

to knowing grin

 

Intention

now

subjective

 

Interpretation

key

 

To survive this game

(not win it)

I can never safely be