My Mother Said to Me

This poem was written by Tracey Curtis …  it is actually a reflection on her working life ….

My Mother Said to Me

When I was just a little girl
My mother said to me
Tracey dear when you grow up
What would you like to be

Would you like to be a nurse
Or a lifeguard at the pool
You could always be a vet
Or a teacher at the school

How about a judge
They earn lots of money
Or you could become an air-hostess
And fly to where it’s sunny

So Tracey sweetheart tell me
What would you like to be?
Whatever you decide to do
Will be just fine with me

I looked up at my mother
With my hands upon my head
I took myself a real deep breath
And this is what I said

I’m going to be a barmaid
And shoot myself some pool
I’m going to be a Biker
And a cleaner at the school

I’m going to be a carer
For the  people on their own
I’m going to work with dogs
Who are looking for a home

I’m going to work a power press
And a great big guillotine
I’m going to be a welder
The best you’ve ever seen

I’m going to call the bingo
Down at the local hall
I’m going to learn to brick lay
And build myself a wall

I’m going to work behind a counter
In a pet shop selling feed
I’m going to be a gardener
Planting all the seed

I’m going to take the tickets
In the cinema at the door
I’m going to write a book
About the First World War

I’m going to work at the fair
Inside the hot dog stand
I’m going to work upon a farm
To give a helping hand

I’m going to work with horses
And little kids in nursery class
I’m going to work around caravans
Cutting all the grass

I’m going to work in big hotels
As a chamber-maid
I’m going to give out change
Down at the games arcade

I’m going to work as a cook
At a sea-side cafe
I’m going to write a poem book
To make the people laugh

I’m going to be a charge-hand
In an electronics factory
Building things for computers
For some big flash company

I’m going to be a seamstress
Sewing denim jeans
I’m going to work in the local shop
Stacking all the beans

I’ll become a decorator
And lay carpet on the floors
I’ll become a lady tiller
And fit glass inside the doors

I’m going to be a DJ
And play records on a stage
And all these things I’m going to do
When I come of age

She looked at me I looked at her
With my hands upon my head
She took herself a real deep breath
And this is what she said

I don’t know what to say to that
It’s not what I expected
But if that’s what you want to do
Then it will be excepted

But now it’s time to go to bed
So grab your little toy
But I have to say sweet Tracey dear
You should have been a boy

I didn’t really say these things
As I was just a kid
But everything you’ve read above
Is everything I did

© Written by ….. TRACEY CURTIS..6614