An Irish Mother Knows Best Poem by Michael Pruchnicki

'Sure, any fool knows that! Goes without saying
among us Gaels that one's dear mother
and her love are the only blessings in life,
and there's no doubt about that! '

Mick put down his half-finished Guiness
and pointed to the ceiling overhead.

'God forgive me, but the ghost of her
clings! I remember coming home
and she sitting there at the kitchen table,
teacup in hand and just the crumbs
left from the cake she'd put away
on the soiled plate before her!

'Me dad was out of work again.
Life as a merchant seaman
was tough on the whole family.
When he was at sea, we ate!
When he came ashore and his
ship had sailed, we fair starved!
But the old girl made do with this
and that! We starved but we all
survived somehow through Irish
grit and stubborn pride!

'So fare thee well, Mom-
this lad misses you still! '

Celia applauded her Mick
and they went up to bed.