Once, I Had a Mother

Once, I had a mother,

Carefree, jolly and fair;

Each day I was with her,

I felt stronger and wiser.

Like merry birds that sing,

Her mellow voice would ring;

Pep songs in the morning,

Lullabies in the evening.

Each early Christmas night,

She'd light the lanterns bright;

A verse she would recite,

While I listened with delight.

But one mid-afternoon,

My heart, she left to mourn;

She was gone quite so soon,

Leaving me hurt and forlorn.