Mother


Get your ass out of that bed now my girl! Or you’ll feel the back of my hand, I can tell you. What could she possibly mean, “Feel the back of her hand” That is the dulcet tones of my dear mother, giving me my morning alarm call. Every morning was the same, Grace time to get up! Then five minutes later, Grace, get up now, you’re going to be late for school! This usually went on for another fifteen minutes, followed up by, if I have to go up them stairs, you will know about it, my girl! That was how my day began every morning, for at least fifteen or sixteen years. Then came the morning that changed everything! I woke up and the house was eerily quiet, I looked at my alarm and realised I was very late for school! Why did mum not wake me? And why was she not screaming like a banshee from bottom of the stairs? Pulling myself out of bed, I went out onto the landing and looked over; listening for sounds of life, but there was no sounds to be heard. I shouted down, hello! Mum! Dad! So headed downstairs to see where everyone was. The kitchen was neat as a pin, but empty. What was going on here mum never went out without telling me. I went back upstairs to phone her from my mobile; I popped head into mum and dads bedroom while passing and there lying in the bed was mum! Mum I said you have slept in, time to wake up it is gone eleven am, but mum did not answer, went over and shook her mum I said again wake up! Now feeling something was wrong here and scared I ran to phone and dialled 999 please send ambulance for my mum. Then rang dad who had left for work at six thirty am, please dad hurry she won’t wake up!
I ran back to mum, she looked so pale! I checked to see if she was still breathing. She was thank god. Jesus where is that bloody ambulance? I stood over her and kept talking to her. please come on now mum wake up! Come on now or you’ll feel the back of my hand girl. Then I heard the siren of the ambulance and I ran down to let them in. just as they pulled up dad arrived. I ran to him oh hurry she is very pale, but he just pushed me to one side and ran upstairs. The paramedics followed him. I stood in the hallway and almost bit the ends of my fingers off, Jesus please someone tell me what is wrong with my mum! Then dad came out of the bedroom and stood at the top of the landing, I never saw my dad look so scared or shaken before. Dad I said is mum ok? He just shook his head and said I don’t know love! It was only ten minutes but it seemed like an eternity before the bedroom door opened and one of the paramedics came out, dad who had been sitting on the top stair stood up, well how is my wife? We think she may have taken a stroke the medic replied. She has come round a little now, but we have to take her to hospital. I ran upstairs and dad and I went into see mum. We were both so relieved she was awake, but shocked that she had taken a stroke! She smiled at us but she could not speak. A tear ran down her face, as dad and I took hold of her hands.
Later at the hospital after many tests and such like, the doctor told dad that mum had indeed suffered a stroke, but it was only a mild one. With rest and some rehabilitation she should make a good recovery, but it would take time! That night at home the house seemed so quiet without mum there. Also it was the first time I saw dad cry, he had went to put the kettle on and spotted mums cup on the rack, and he broke down.
Mum was in hospital for four weeks, and then she had to attend physiotherapy, but a few days after she was home, she refused to get up out of bed and get dressed. Dad wanted to take more time of work to look after her, but mum would not let him she said she would be ok with the care worker and me. It was summer holidays so I was off school. Then this morning after dad had gone to work and the carer had arrived, I went to make her breakfast while the carer gave mum her shower. Then I heard her shout

"Misty"

My name is Misty
I'm only three,
My eyes are swollen
I cannot see,

I must be stupid
I must be bad,
What else could have
Made my daddy so mad?

I wish I were better
I wish I weren't ugly,
Then maybe my mommy
Would still want to hug me.

I can't speak at all
I can't do a wrong
Or else I'm locked up
All the day long.

When I awake
I'm all alone
The house is dark
My folks aren't home.

When my mommy does come
I'll try and be nice,
So maybe I'll get just
One whipping tonight.

Don't make a sound!
I just heard a car
My daddy is back
From Charlie's Bar.

I hear him curse,
My name he calls,
I press myself
Against the wall.

I try and hide
From his evil eyes,
I'm so afraid now
I'm starting to cry.

He finds me weeping,
He shouts ugly words,
He says its my fault
That he suffers at work.

He slaps me and hits me
And yells at me more,
I finally get free
And I run for the door.

He's already locked it
And I start to bawl,
He takes me and throws me
Against the hard wall.

I fall to the floor
With my bones nearly broken,
And my daddy continues
With more bad words spoken.

"I'm sorry!", I scream,
But its much too late.
His face has been twisted
Into unimaginable hate.

The hurt and the pain
Again and again.
Oh please God, have mercy!
Oh please let it end!

And he finally stops
And heads for the door,
While I lay there motionless
Sprawled on the floor.

My name is Misty
And I am but three,
Tonight my daddy
Murdered me.

There are thousands of kids out there just like Misty. And you can help. And please pass this poem on because as crazy as it might sound, it might just indirectly change a life. Hey, you NEVER know.

* Boys from Co.Armagh *

Theres one fair county in Ireland
With memories so glorious and grand
Where nature has lavished its bounty
On the orchard of Erins green land
I love its cathedral city
Once founded by Patrick so true
And there in the heart of its bosom
Lie the ashes of Brian Boru

Its my old Irish home
Far across the foam
Although I've often left it
In foreign lands to roam
No matter where I wander
Through cities near and far
My hearts at home in old Ireland
In the county of Armagh

I've travelled through parts of this county
Through Newtown, Forkhill, Crossmaglen
And round by the gap of Mountnorris
And home by Blackwater again
Where the girls are so gay and so hearty
None fairer in Erin go Bragh
And where are the boys that can court them
The boys of the county Armagh

Its my old Irish home
Far across the foam
Although I've often left it
In foreign lands to roam
No matter where I wander
Through cities near and far
Sure my hearts at home in old Ireland...
WHERE?
In the county of Armagh