Momma’s Voice

Hush your mouth!
Momma is singing,
and I wanna hear
her voice ringing.

Echoing off the tile,
flowing out the crack of the door—
carried on the back of steam,
I’m covered by Momma’s roar.

Hush your mouth!
Momma is praying
and I wanna hear
every word she’s saying.

With my ear pressed against
the crack in this wall,
I can hear my Momma’s
desperate call.

I close my eyes,
and can see it all,
to her knees she’ll
hopelessly fall.

Out she cries
to her God, her Lord
and her voice will protect me
my weapon, my sword.

I brace myself
for those venomous swings,
lashing, and thrashing, and crashing
on me.

Hush your mouth, brother,
I can hear Momma’s voice;
in the throes of the blows
she drowns out the noise.