mama’s anthem
Lolita Stewart-White
mama sipped wine
listened to her ‘you did me wrong’ anthem
she played for daddy who had disappeared
with the family’s money
she cranked the music up loud
stepped onto the dance floor
a drunken disco diva
singing, ‘i will survive’
she coaxed me and baby brother behind her
made us back up singers
in her make-believe world
where she was a bonafide star
we happily harmonized her rebellion
put gladys and the pips to shame
with sizzling soulful steps
performed to perfection
but our rhythm was quickly lost
when daddy barreled in
the fighting began
and mama’s anthem abruptly ended
