Mama and Daddy Standin’ By

Best thing that ever happened 
In church was when Martha 
Got Nancy to sing “Summertime” 
On Mother’s Day— 
Not once 
But twice. 
First, in Relief Society 
For all those cream-colored 
Sisters, Martha at the 
Piano, Kayjean arriving 
Just in time to 
Unzip her cello while 
Martha made introductions 

Said her own personal 
Mother’s Day version of that 
Famous line in Gone With the Wind was: 
“Frankly, my dear, I’d rather be an aunt” 
But since she couldn’t set that to music 
Started thinking about her childhood in Florida
Hot, humid nights; no screens on the open windows
Whipporwills singing her to sleep; waking up to
Songbirds in the trees outside her bedroom 
That’s why George Gershwin’s lullaby 
Still sings to her inner child 
And how Gershwin came to church on Mother’s Day
With Martha, Nancy, and Kayjean

Summertime 
And the livin’ is easy 
Nancy’s voice is 
Torching the words 
Her dark hair cascading 
Like a southern night 
Catfish jumpin’ 
And the cotton is high 
Across the aisle 
A black child is crooning 
To himself on his mother’s lap—
The only dark faces 
In a sea of beige. 
Your daddy’s rich 
And your mama’s good lookin’ 
Hush little baby 
Don’t you cry 
I’m the only adult 
Male in the room 
And when the song is over 
I’m the lone groupie to join 
the entourage. Like a roadshow
But without the scenery, 
We’re moving from the Relief 
Society to the Elders’ Quorum 
A small, dark room full of suits 

When the song starts, the light 
Comes on in the room 
It seems to be coming from Nancy’s face
One of these mornings 
You’regoin’ to rise up singin’ 
You’re goin’ to spread your wings
And you’re goin’ to fly 
The Elders sit impassively 
Until that day 
You hush up your cryin’ 
Mama and daddy standin’ by 
Best damn thing 
Ever happened in church