It was still dark when Mother
woke us, told us to listen.
She sang gently,
rocking babes in cradles
until sleep fell from each
eye, took in the morn;
but some had the disease -
and could not hear.
Longing to be She,
we chanted love songs
into soft, slumbering ears –
hoping to wake sweet sisters
from dreams of being children.
Written
February 9, 2003
When Mother Woke Us
