By David Swanson
I don’t remember my first lesson in gentleness,
but I remember it was taught to me by my Mother.
She taught me to hold doors open for strangers,
give my seat to old women on the bus
and hug the people I love.
She’s the woman who gave me back tickles,
made hot chocolate with rainbow marshmallows,
and drove me around in December singing carols,
listening to her Christmas music collection,
looking at the neighbourhood neon lightshow.