Wake and Cry

This poem is dedicated to mothers. It’s a poem about endurance, love, and survival in a hard world. It's about the quiet heroism of mothers who hold their families together against impossible odds, and the wild, beautiful resilience of children who find joy and mischief despite struggle.

Wake and cry.
Wake and cry.
Feral children play hide-and-seek
Behind stacks of old, musty books.

A warm waterfall beneath City Lights’ awning—
Sheets of rain tease,
And we dance the dance of wild things,
Full of mischief, doing as we please.

Wake and cry.
Mama struggles daily,
Praying the streets won’t swallow us whole.
She tracks our every movement
When she can.

She fills our pockets with nickels,
In exchange for rhythmic chops to loosen knots.
Encouragement wrapped in stern warnings:
Walk the straight path.

Don’t lie.
Don’t cheat.
Don’t steal.

Wake and cry.
Wake and cry.
Mama struggles daily
To get us off to school.

Two squares a day, like it or not.
On special days, lunch comes
Hand-delivered in a paper bag,
Whispers of sorrow pinned to its side.

Wake and cry.
Mama struggles daily
To stand,
To walk,
To eat.

Peace comes with the kiss of daylight,
Sweet, shallow puffs of breath.
Children grown,
At her side.

Wake and cry.