What is a mum?

What is a mum

What is a mum, many poets have tried
to put into verse with a true sense of pride,
`their mum`-each one diff`rent,yet all the same,
so what is the `magic`-it cannot only be a name?
In her early married life, the unbroken cycle of chores meant,
endless changing of nappies and a daily life, dutifully spent,
ironing, washing, working financial miracles-making `ends meet`,
constantly `juggling` - robbing Paul ,often, to try and pay off Pete!
Mums are a special breed-sort of `birds of a feather`,
say-who tends the nurse, when she`s `under the weather?
Who cooks the meals everyday with traditional culinary skill,
and `soldiers` on with her workload even when she feels ill?
Who struggles with shopping, when the delivery boy can’t come,
bringing `food to the nest`, just who would be without a mum?
Who consoles the tele` repair man, when his screen’s gone blank,
yes, the world’s mums have wisdom (and the fortitude of a tank!)
And what about the vicar, when his `inner voice` is all gone,
and finding a current theme is difficult for his next sermon?
he turns to his mum, be she residing in Heaven or on earth,
she gives him inspiration, again showing her eternal worth.
Who puts the spark in the grate, when the firelighters gone out,
and manages the director, when he’s no longer got `clout`?
Who re-inflates the puncture repair man, when he feels deflated,
or praises the inventor, when his `latest ideas` are outdated?
So just what is a mum-sadly, nothing written will aptly suffice,
to describe this lady, who, for her offspring, would willingly sacrifice
her very soul and thus cause it to be in `eternal hock?`
She gives her all and expects nought in return, from her flock.
Like `mother Earth’s womb`, to where we will all eventually return,
her everlasting optimism and light of hope, like a candle does burn.
Jennifer Kersey.