Momma, Do You Know Me? - A Poem

I was thinking about my mother the other day and this poem began to flow out of me.  I loved her so much!  I cried with almost every line I wrote, so I had to wait a few days to edit and finish this one.  I feel anyone with a spouse, mother, or father suffering from a form of dementia can relate; regardless if their symptoms were related to Alzheimer's, Brain Injury, Huntington's, Hydrocephalus, Parkinsons, or something else.   For all those going through this, remember although sometimes it may be hard,  there are times they recognize and know you.  At those times, you can really feel the love coming from them back to you.

I often felt sorry for my brothers when they visited Mom at the end of the day, because she was too tired to communicate.  Sometimes they thought she did not know who they were, but I know she did.  If she was looking intently at someone or smiling when they spoke, that was an indication she knew them and was happy they were there even if she never said a word.  If she did not remember or know someone, she acted shy or had a quizzical look on her face as if to say "Do I know you?"  

Momma, Do You Know Me

by Shirley Fine Lee (Copyright 02/19/2025 all rights reserved.)

See the clock?
What time is it now?
Tick, tock,
Wish it would stop.
Look at the calendar,
What month is it?
What date is today?
Don't be flustered!
You are a blessing each day,
So it doesn't matter anyway.

Momma, do you hear me?
Momma, do you see me?
Momma, do you know my name?

Put one foot in front of the other
Then do another.
We're walking now.
Don't look down,
We're walking now.
Right foot,
Left foot,
Keep mov'n along
Singing this song.
Then repeat
Til we're in our seat.

Momma, do you hear me?
Momma, do you see me?
Momma, do you know me?

Someone peeking in the window?
Man standing in the door?
Don't be frightened anymore,
No one is there.
No need to be scared!
I'm right here,
Always very near.

Momma, do you hear me?
Momma, do you see me?
Momma, do you know my name?

Last week, you laughed.
Yesterday you cried.
Some days, you just stare.
Today, you have angry glare.
Every day, we try for uniformity,
Yet every time is unpredicatbilty. 
Favorite meals are a charm.
Taking pills rasie alarms.
Sometimes long talks,
Others tears or giggling.
As the day fades away,
Your attention span wanes.

Momma, do you hear me?
Momma, do you see me?
Momma, do you know me?

Sharing laundry chores,
Doing puzzles and therapy,
In the kitchen or cleaning,
Or just talking,
You and me.
You read or do coloring book.
Instead of TV watch,
Let's take another look
Through photos and memories.
Oh, the stories you tell!
One might think you're well.
Tired? Take a nap.
Finish later will we.

Momma, do you hear me?
Momma, do you see me?
Momma, do you know my name?

A kiss on the head.
A peck on the cheek.
We say "I love you."
All may seem bleak,
I know you love me.
It is no time to be weak.
As things slowly slip away,
Life goes on
And so do we.

Momma, do you hear me?
Momma, do you see me?
Momma, do you know me? 

FYI:  If anyone is wondering why thar weird little stepping song is in the poem, it was a song I made up to sing when she was learning to walk with a walker at home.  Her therapist said it was important to keep her looking where she was going because if she was watching her feet, it could cause her to topple.  Sometimes she would laugh at me after I was singing and say "You're silly." once she was sitting down.  But if I stopped singing during her walking time, she stopped too and looked back to be sure I was still there.  So that silly song means a lot to me!

Faces in the Mirror

I was putting my hair up before going outside to do yard work.  After I was done, I glanced at the mirror and for a second I thought I saw my grandmother's face framed by streaks of grey.  It made me think about how people used to tell me I looked like my Momma or had my Grandma's disposition.  I thought how proud that used to make me and then I decided to pen the below poem.



Faces in the Mirror
by Shirley Fine Lee (Copyright 07/10/2020m all rights reserved.)


When I was a small child,
I look in the mirror to see
A shy and plain girl
Looking back at me.
Told I look like mom,
But she is so pretty.
Finding an old photo
I asked, "Momma,
Where was this picture of me?"
To which mom replied
"That is not you, sweetie.
It is five-year-old me."

As I grew to a teen,
In the mirror I see
I seem more pretty,
But not as beautiful
As old photos of mom.
I still hear people say
"You look just like your mother."
The this revelation,
We both have smiles on each face.
Secretly wishing I also reflect
Mom's inner beauty and grace,

After I become a mom.
I look in the mirror to see
A glimmer of my mom's face
Smiling back happily at me.
My mom is older now
A Grandma who plays,
Who is always willing
To talk and for awhile stay,
"You are just like me?"
Mom grins and says to me.

Over twenty years pass by,
In the mirror I see
A woman not changed much
By what has happened to me.
Stronger and more confident
In who I am and will be,
Yes, now I can see
There is my mom's face
Smiling back at me,
Mom a great grandma recently.
Mom still laughs and sings,
Wanting only to hold the baby.
Now in mom's face I see
Her grandmother looking at me.
Looks like my great grandma
With the same twinkle in her eyes.
Sometimes now mom talks about
Those loved gone and lost goodbyes.

Another twenty-plus years gone,
I look in the mirror to see
My hair greying and pulled back
My grandma is looking back at me.
My mom has joined her mother
and grandmother in Heaven.
I now embrace them in memory.
Yes, I have some wrinkles
From laughter - not worry.
Getting older does not bother me.
Hoping I also have grandma's
Wisdom, grace, and great faith.
For I grew with love as a legacy.

I believe in another twenty years,
I will look in the mirror and see
My great grandma's face
Will be the one smiling back at me.

America Will Not Be Held Hostage Poem

In the current state of fear caused by national health and violent riots, I was inspired the write the below poem.  I believe it expresses the opinions and feelings of the majority of American citizens who are unwilling to give into fear tactics and acceptance of fake "peaceful" protests that break the law.  This reflects on criminals and terrorists who advocate violence and break the laws of the land, whether they be internal or external.  It is NOT about denying 1st amendment rights to American citizens.  I hope this poem gets spread by my readers who agree via social media and email so that our voices and sentiment may be heard.  There are social icons in bottom of this post to make sharing. pinning, and tweeting easier.

America Will Not Be Held Hostage
by Shirley Fine Lee (copyright 07/06/2020, all rights reserved)

Short URL for sharing = https://tinyurl.com/bdhz9y2n

America is a republic of earnest citizens
Who decide by democratic vote.
We look for the true in what we do.
Americans respect what founders wrote.

America will not be hostage
To marauding terrorist and traitors
Who this country wish to ravage.

Honest citizens who work hard
To succeed and grow in our place.
The republic of true Americans
Do not allow our country disgraced.

American citizens will not be hostage
To shouting terrorist and traitors
Who wish to destroy, burn, and pillage.

Citizens have laws and just protectors
In American cities, counties, and states.
Federal support and patriots stand
Working together to stop the hate.

America will not be hostage
To destructive terrorist and traitors
Who to this country wish only damage.

Americans have right to speak for and against
Issues that concern our direction.
Citizens may peacefully protest and debate,
But we will not tolerate unlawful insurrection.

Warning Package Thief!

I'm a #TexasGirl, so I wrote this poem as a holiday warning to package thieves (aka #ChristmasGrinch or #PackageThief or #PorchPirates).  This is just meant to be funny - I am not advocating gun violence.  I'm also a little bit of a #Techno Geek, so I had to create a 2nd amendment rights meme to go along with the poem.

Package Thief Warning
by Shirley Fine Lee (copyright 12/06.2019, all rights reserved)

Dear package thief,

This is Texas and
That is my property!
Don't you know?
Our governor upped the ante,
You can go to jail
As your theft penalty.
Don't you never mind though,
It is still law here that
I can protect my property.

Don't you never mind...
I need no technology
Because my hunting dog
Will know you're near my property.
He jumps, barks, and howls
His bite is worse than the growl.
He is better than an alarm.
No, you never mind that!
Yes, he could do you harm.
But don't you worry none
I'll not let him loose
To tear you limb from limb
Starting with your caboose.

Don't you know,
My hound's simple warning
Starts me on a run?
Giving me enough time
To get my trusty gun,
Make sure it's loaded,
Aim it towards the floor,
And meet you at the door.

There I'll say with force,
"Friend, this is my property,
This is my porch,
That there is my package.
If you keep standing here,
Holding it like your baggage,
I'll shoot you in your foot.
Or you can set it down,
And turn around.
Then run away from here,
While hoping I'm so kind
Not to unload shots
Into your behind!"

Birthstones by Day of the Week!

Almost everyone is familiar with their birthstone, which is traditionally assigned according to the month in which one is born.  A few people may know that they can instead choose to use the stone associated with their zodiac sign as an alternative to the traditional monthly gemstone.  Did you know that another alternative to choosing a birthstone to wear is by day of the week?  Therefore, if you do not like your monthly birthstone or astrological stone, then you can find out what day of the week you were born and choose that stone instead.  Check out the daily choices suggested by the  International Gem Society (IGS) in chart below.

Day of the Week	Birthday Stone Choices	Phenomena Alternatives
Sunday	Topaz	Sunstone
Monday	Pearl or Rock Crystal	Moonstone
Tuesday	Ruby or Emerald	Star Sapphire
Wednesday	Amethyst or Lodestone	Star Ruby
Thursday	Sapphire or Carnelian	Cat’s Eye
Friday	Emerald	Alexandrite or Cat’s Eye
Saturday	Turquoise or Diamond	Labradorite

If you like the day of week idea, you may also find the below video of old nursery rhyme describing a child 's personality by day of birth interesting?  Personally it was wrong for me, but still cute.  If you like the poem, you can also download the words as a poster from Familii blog.

We the People See, Poem from Voters to Politicians and Bureaucrats

This is not a political blog.  It does contain patriotic thoughts including freedom of speech (including peaceful protest).  With so many secret meetings by local governments deciding how to spend tax dollars without a residential vote or town meeting type discussions in the last two months, the below reminder poem seems appropriate.

Same goes for state and national representatives stalling on promises to constituents. When a higher office candidate wins the majority vote, common sense would be that most Americans  must want those key issues resolved and political promises fulfilled.

Every elected official should put this poem in his/her office and read it everyday.

POST SHORT URL = https://tinyurl.com/mr3m35ka

We the People See

by Shirley Fine Lee, copyright © 9/20/2017

We the people have our rights

Both federal and state

We the citizens pay our taxes

Both national and local

We the voters must have our say

In how our funds are spent

And that our valuable rights,

We refuse to alter or relent.

We the people pave the way

For all that happens in our nation

And we expect valid explanations.

You, the elected politician

Must represent we,

Who at the polls vote the election.

We see all you do in public

And behind closed doors.

We can find out the bills, laws, and regulations

You endorse which was not our true choice.

We take note of how you spend our funds

And when you purposely avoid our voice.

You, the politician

Can be voted out, just as you are in.

Uphold your office with integrity;

Treat we with respect and honesty.

Pay attention to voting citizens

As in the end with majority vote we will win.

Remember we do see and hear you

And we take note next we vote.

You, the appointed bureaucrat

Must keep in mind the people whose taxes you spend

Or whose rights and laws you are to protect.

Do not believe you are more important than we.

We have the power to elect those

Who can and will cut your budgets,

Reduce your power, or delete your programs.

Do not think you know more than or speak for we!

You, in the bureaucracy,

Pay attention to the tax payer

Because we see and also fund your salary.

A Poem Asking America to Be the United States Again

Due to the recent voting protests in our country, I got to thinking about the unnecessary whining and wrote a poem that hopefully will be re-uniting.  Sometimes I think people forget that democracy means will of the majority.  The election is over - everyone voted and every vote was counted.  It is now time to get on with life and accept the transition.

In case someone does not remember the words to our nation’s Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, or Constitution, I looked up links. For unification, is it time to pull out our flag pins again?

Please check it out the poem below and let me know what you think in comments added to this post.

America, Be The United States

by Shirley Fine Lee, copyright 11/11/2016

SHORT URL for sharing = https://tinyurl.com/3ee986fh 

America, be who you really are

Show the world proof that your flag is still waving

And that your interest in grace is unchanging.

America, be who you should be

Pledge your allegiance to the country’s flag

Standing respectively with hand over heart to brag.

America, be a great nation again

As the land housing the freest of mortals

And the home of the bravest with unfailing morals.

America, be who you would be

By holding fast to words of the U.S. Constitution

And confirming this is still a great institution.

America, be a united people

Understanding that you are an indivisible nation

Connected via the liberty and justice for all causation.

America, be who you could be

Because your vote counts before the dawning light.

You decide what twilight falls on your inalienable rights.

America, be the United States!

Three Poetry Books On Love and Loss

I published the 3 books of poems on Amazon, which are noted and linked in this post.  I do not plan to market them as much as my other books.  So this blog and Amazon may be the only places you can read about their release.  These books are mainly about loving and being loved.  To My Love contains all love poems; there are 65 poems in it.  Of Love Lost contains 60 poems of emotions and thoughts around breaking up and losing love.  The third book of 65 poems, Love and Loneliness is 2/3 love poems and 1/3 poems regarding being alone/lonely.

 

The 2 questions I get asked about most about my poetry writing are:

• How long have you been writing poems?  The earliest date I have found on one of my poems was from 1970, so I know I have been doing it that long. (Yes that was a few decades ago!)
• How many poems have you written?  I’m not sure as I have given some away without making copies and have tossed out some that I thought were bad.  However, in looking through my files of the poems I have kept, I found enough that I could create over 5 books of around 60-65 poems each. 

As you can see from the 2^nd question above, I will be putting together more poetry books later on.  These future books will be on miscellaneous topics.  When those are ready, I will put a similar announcement post on this blog.  If you like poetry, keep an eye on this blog or do a search on Amazon for “Poems by Shirley Fine Lee.” 

I NEED YOUR HELP!  #1 - I need reviews on Amazon.
#2 - I need help promoting on social media, see image you may use if desired.  SHORT URL for sharing  = https://tinyurl.com/h7mpvars 
#3 - I need to put some of the poem titles in the descriptions for the books above on Amazon.  If you read the book, please let me know in the comments of this blog post which poem you liked the most.  After that I can figure out the top 5-10 poems for each book to add to the description.  Thanks in advance for your willingness to help out!

Recipe of My Mother’s Love – A Memorial Poem

My Mother and Me

My beautiful mother passed away last week.  We had her funeral yesterday.  After the funeral, several people asked for a copy of the memorial poem I wrote for her.  I wrote the poem over two years ago, which was the first time we thought we were going to lose her due to an injury she sustained about a month after our Dad’s death.  After she recovered and got stronger, we moved her closer to her children and were blessed with more time to be with her and see her adorable smile.  Please feel free to download or print the “Recipe of My Mother’s Love” poem from the link.

People also asked about the song mom’s youngest granddaughter (my niece) sang at the funeral.  Two years ago, this granddaughter was so happy to have her granny move closer that she spent Mom’s first night with her in her new home, even though it was a school-night.  Back to the song, many said they had not heard “The Prettiest Flower There” before and wanted to get the song.  Click the link for a video of the original artist, Rhonda Vincent, singing this bluegrass song.  You can buy her Sunday Mornin Singin CD or MP3 that contains the song by clicking the CD title link to go to Amazon.  

Mom's Eulogy

Poems to Bless a Baby Girl (by a Mom and a Grandmother)

The two poems I am sharing below were written by my grandmother and great-grandmother sometime in 1934 around my Mother’s first birthday.  80 years later, they were found by one of my aunts when going through some of Grandma’s papers and she mailed copies of the poems to my mother.

Baby Girl

by Eva Belle Parrish

She came to me one morning

With her softly golden curls

And a tiny face so wrinkled.

Funniest site in all the world.

But when they gently laid her

In my mother-hungry arms

Why! T’would have took a dictionary

To half describe her charms.

She was tiny, red and wrinkled.

Just the funniest little thing.

But she brought a joy with her

Nothing else on earth can bring.

She opened one eye slyly

And looked right up at me

And I had to hug her closer

For she’s cute as she can be.

No one else could see her beauty.

They plainly told me so

“She’s wrinkled, red, and ugly;

But she’ll improve, you know.”

That’s just what they told me.

But then, they couldn’t see

The hungry, helpless longing

That was taking hold of me.

Nothing else could fill that hunger

Nothing hold such blessed charms

Nothing else could please so wholly

Nothing else could fill my arms

Nothing but a blue-eyed baby

With a head of golden curls

Could ever satisfy me.

She’s my darling baby girl!

NOTE: At bottom of poem my grandma added:  Dedicated to my little baby girl Joyce on September 19, 1934 by her mother.

Baby Joyce

by Martha Elizabeth Thompson

God bless the baby with eyes so blue.

As blue as the skies and

May you ever be true

To the God who gave them to you.

May you grow both bright and strong

And indulge in nothing that is wrong.

And may you ever be happy and free

And never forget the Lord

Who gives sweet things to thee.

God bless you little one

As in the world you go

And always think of me

I love you so!

NOTE:  This shorter poem was written by my great-grandmother, which would be my mom’s grandma.  I was blessed enough to know her too, she died in her late 90’s.

Using Poems to Mark Project Milestones?

Project Management Book

I was checking out my blog statistics the other day and found that some of the most popular posts were my poems.  The poems were only exceeded in hits by Christmas holiday posts and the posts listing anniversary gifts and birthstones.  Most poems I included on the blog have been serious as they were memorials of people or dates.  I have written several poems and plan to post some more of them on this blog in the future.   

So let’s start now with a less serious bit of poetry by inserting some fun versions.  I am a strong believer in celebrating when a team completes a big project or if it is a long-term project team, celebrating completion of major milestones.  When I worked for a large corporation facilitating and leading teams, I was fortunate to work on a special IT project team whose job it was to move several things on to the company intranet.  As part of our milestone celebrations, I put together poems that marked many milestones.  If you follow this link, you will see a PDF containing the 3 celebratory poems written by me in 1998 titled:  100 Things Were Done, 300 Things Were Done, and 300 More Things Are Done.

On a different note, (when I was vice president of communications in 2006) I did 2 WIIFM poems for the Dallas chapter of ASTD, a professional training organization.   Click on the WIIFM link above to read titles: What's in Chapter Membership for Me? and What is Value in Attendance for Me?

I have also recorded “poetry readings” of poems that appear in the back of my RARA meeting management, TAPP time management, and OPIE project management books.  These podcasts can be found on my website at http://shirleyfinelee.com/Videos.htm#podcast.

At the Funeral - A Memorial Poem

We had 2 memorial services today, one for a family member and the other a dear friend.  It got me melancholy and thinking about how we commemorate those we love.

At the Funeral

by Shirley Joyce Fine Lee (© 12/30/12), all rights reserved 

A dirge plays.

Flowers everywhere,
An honorable display.
Many are there
Of mixed emotions.
A whimper and sigh,
Family walks solemn.
Friends begin to cry.
Hearts in sadness,
Feeling alone.
Spirit of gladness,
As another goes home.
Some still in disbelief,
Holding hands,
Various stages of grief.
Later laughter
And remembrances.
Thoughts of hereafter.
The casket closes
On earthly release.
The ropes lower
To rest in peace.

Remembering Daddy – A Memorial Poem

It is Father’s Day and many are remembering fathers both presently living and those passed-away.  Since many have said they enjoy my poetry on the blog, below is a poem I wrote years ago as a memorial.  I give my brothers credit for some of the ideas since some of the words were based on their memories.  We were all crowded into a van on the way to help our stepmother with funeral arrangements for our dad.  I decided to write down some of the thoughts being shared in single words.  After I got home, I compiled those words into the below poem and gave a copy to my stepmother before the funeral.  Perhaps this poem will help you to remember your dad fondly, whether he was a white-collar guy or a blue-collar man.

Remembering Daddy

by Shirley Joyce Fine Lee (© 7/29/98) for Bill Fine

Hunting, camping, fishing,

And always listening.

His children’s faces smiling

Cause Daddy’s home

A hard working man

Doing the best he can

His children’s faces laughing

Cause Daddy’s home

Rancher, Dealer, Farmer,

And backhoe operator.

His children’s faces smiling

Cause Daddy’s home.

The man has gotten older

His family got larger

Grandchildren laughing

Cause Papa’s home.

Let Us Pray Together - A Poem

I awoke this morning from a dream of me kinda-singing the poem below to a group of women.  Except in the song I as saying "Women, let us pray together."  I quickly went to the computer to capture and refine what I could remember.  I changed the word "women" to "please" in the final version as I felt this was a poem relevant to all mankind regardless of gender.  I also added the last stanza as verses 18-20 of Matthew chapter 18 kept coming to my mind as I was typing it.  I hope you find the poem a personal prayer you can share as well.

Let Us Pray Together

Poem by Shirley Fine Lee (© 4/7/12)

I do not want help switching batteries.

I just need a hand to hold

While I decide to pray.

Please let us pray together

For love and peace.

Let us not slander or hate

Instead we facilitate.

Give help and food.

Adjust our attitude.

It begins with you and me

To now find a noble charity.

I do not want help changing light bulbs.

I just need a friendly soul

While I wish to pray.

Please let us pray together

For health and blessings.

Let us not complain our state

Instead others we elevate.

Share our wealth

To promote health.

Sick and dying do not avert.

Aid shelters, places holding hurt.

I do not want help opening a jar.

I just need a like spirit

While I choose to pray.

Please let us pray together

For family and friends.

Let us not tweet, text, or update.

Instead we true communicate.

Face- to-face

We interface.

No funeral or wedding,

Just joyful communing.

I should not ask for this alone.

Where two or more

Are gathered together

God will be there.

Let us pray together.

*****  

POEM/POST SHARING SHORT URL = https://tinyurl.com/2axj5vr4

9/11 Tears Remembered - A Memorial Poem

Each year around 9/11, I think back to that tragic day and cry for the souls lost and saddened.  And each year a few thoughts occur to me in simple refrain, but I have neglected to write them down.  This year as the words traveled in and out of my mind, I did take note of them.  Later I reviewed the words on my computer, edited, and the result was the short poem below.  It is my wish that these words will bless and encourage all that read them. 

Please fell free to share the poem with others.  You may get the video to embed at http://youtu.be/eEoRlgLcARU.  If you want the slide, go to SlideShare.net for downloads.  Or if you want only the words as text, go below the video to find the text you may copy and share “as is” in its entirety.  If you use the poem, please credit the source.  Thanks.

<poem start>

9/11 Tears Remembered

A Memorial Poem

by Shirley Fine Lee © 9/10/11

On 9/11:

The innocent died,

Heroes truly tried,

And the masses cried.

In the aftermath:

American pride,

Heavy weeping tides,

Deliberate strides.

Now in the present:

Monuments abide,

Musings coincide,

And still misty-eyed.

<end of poem>