“Oh, mama started me off right,

Sent me to school, where there was light.

The shining books I learned to read,

Their flaming poems became my need.

Oh mama, mama, you did well,

Gave me a pathway out of Hell,

A road toward beauty and success,

A highway up to happiness!

Oh, mama, I’ve worked as hard as you

To make a better life come true;

My sons, my daughter—good and fine,

And they are yours as much as mine.

Be proud of me, my mama dear,

Let all your blessings strong appear,

And help me love my poet, too,

Who writes these words of me and you!