This poem is inspired by my mum who has endured many of life's unpredictable hardships but through it all her faith in God and love for her children has shown what it truly means to be resilient. I always have to pay homage to my mum for the continuous sacrifices and selflessness - I hope to be a blessing to her as much as she's been a blessing for me and my sister.

Mumzie

6 years old

2006

Lewisham, South London

Born not bred.

Eloped with my Bratz doll, suitcase and Mumzie instead.

My sister and I had no clue, that Essex would become our new view

It was my new blue, though blue was but a colour before I was snatched away from you, before I was snatched away from ends, before my father was pronounced dead.

No longer “daddy’s little princess” my life was a mess

But Mumzie picked the crown and placed it back on my head.

There are some many ways this trajectory could’ve went…

Sad mum, sad kids, no money, on the brink

Sad mum ain’t there for kids so she lets herself sink to this

Depression

Oppression of dark thoughts

This recession

A digression from her kids

Filled with questions

“Can she go on?” “Can she live?”

No progression

So she lets herself sink.

Life’s a lesson

…the only guarantee is death or heaven,

Not always guaranteed the highs and blessings

…the only guarantee is death or heaven,

Not always guaranteed…

Yet I thank God everyday that our story was different, different to all dem other mumz mumzie was made to be different

And she’s still so different

And she still keeps pushing,

And she still keeps pushing

And she still

Keeps pushing

And I wish that I knew from young that the songs of mourning that echoed from my mothers chamber was not of flesh and although there was blood there was something much bigger above that knew every tear every cry every why God why ‘I’m gonna lose it if you take another life from me. Church is only proving to be routine you see – I’m on my 800th Sunday and life is still so

Mundane’

Days like this my mother’s love was a remedy to my silent blues

She knew just what to do to get me and my sister through the single-parent blues

Mumzie was proof

Of strength that doesn’t manifest itself physically but tingles under the surface of the skin and endures the scorching heat of the sun

Sun burn all around from life issues

But she never let life and her issues burn her away

Strange to think issues so powerful can make a woman so wonderful

Full of grace, love and light

So, here’s to you mum

You are brightest amongst the brightest lights.

- Rennae Walker