Substitute Mothers
          Goldie Irene Ingram
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Mother worked Hard
But she always had a garden
In the corner of the yard
Her labor  was never a Burden.
When Mother worked
It was up to the older Siblings
 To care for the young ones
Fay,Maynard,Robert,then Junella
They all were my substitute Mothers.
One by one they grew up 
Watching over the younger ones. 
Then one day It was up to me
I became a Substitute Mother Of two.
To young to leave home 
To old not to have the responsibility.
A Brother ,a sister ,younger then me ,you see.
No time to be a child
No time to be mild.
They became important to me
As much as any VIP.
When things go tuff
Mother got ruff.
Off to grandmother I was often rushed
To stay a while, to be aside brushed.
It was a hard life
Till I became a wife.
Then I was Mother of four
No substitute Mothers any more.
I was there
To show I care.
Mother missed out
She was never there
So with a shout
I was there to give care.
To my four I was to be
A mother don't you see.
To kiss it when they hurt
To hug it when they were sad
To feed it when they were hungry.
To give a drank when they were thirsty.
To play when they wanted to play a game.
Awe, yes! This is what a Mother is all about.