A Good Job
By Nikki Giovanni
Photograph by RaMell Ross
For Kwame’s Mother
I know we are happy
To hold them in our arms
Watching
Them squizzle
Learning
To grow
I’m not sure
What makes us happier
Watching
Them take their first step or
Watching
That first tooth come in
We certainly think
That first word should be
Mother
And what joy to
Watch
Them walk
Down the aisle
For graduation or marriage
And how fortunate are we
To see the world celebrate
The Talent
We burst with pride
At the Best Sellers
And the Prizes
But mostly I think we
Appreciate
The warmth
Of the arms of our sons
Laying us to rest
Knowing
We have done
A Good Job