What My Mother Meant

Below is a very poignant poem written by Martin Silvester …          

What My Mother Meant

When you grow up, my mother asked,
What would you like to be?
I wasn’t sure just what to say,
I was only nine, you see.

But my answer did surprise her,
As I spoke my thoughts aloud.
I’m going to be a hero mum,
I’m going to make you proud.

I want to get the bad guys,
That cause us so much pain.
I want to make this world of ours,
A safer place again.

I think she looked quite worried,
As she slowly shook her head.
But the words she spoke were full of love,
Just be, kind and gentle …she said.

You don’t have to be a hero,
To protect the human race.
Just try and do the right thing,
And you will find your place.

Well I was young and very tough,
And also very brave.
So I’d spend my life looking around,
To find someone to save.

It didn’t quite work out like that,
As the years rolled slowly by.
Boyhood dreams, of heroic deeds,
Were just…pie in the sky.

I stood up against the bullies,
Tried to fight for what was right.
Not a very easy ride, I found,
To be a brave white knight.

So I tried to do the right thing,
As I lived my life each day.
But no maidens needed rescue,
And no dragons did I slay.

So I opened doors for ladies,
Gave my seat up on the bus.
Cried tears for all the heartache,
Mankind dishes up to us.

The things that do need changing,
Seem’d far beyond my reach.
It made me feel so powerless,
Like a whale upon a beach.

When will the people on this earth,
Feel love, instead of hate.
Will future generations…change,
Before it is too late.

When I look into a mirror,
Do I see a hero’s face?
Or do I see my childhood dreams,
Dissolved in life’s hard race.

Actually…I’m pleased with me,
I’ve done the best I can.
I didn’t always get it right,
But I never turned and ran.

I still want to be a hero,
But, may have to be content.
In being just, a nice old man,
Perhaps that’s…what my mother meant.

WRITTEN BY : MARTIN SILVESTER