My Momma

My momma braided my hair too tight
and though I begged her, "Momma, please"
She just kept pulling tighter and tighter
'til I looked like I was part Chinese.

My momma put me in paisley dresses
While all my friends wore Levi Jeans
With pretty shirts and sandaled feet
Next to them I was an ugly thing.

My momma was so strict with me
I wasn't yet allowed to date
While all my friends painted the town
I babysat, but never late.

My momma showed me right from wrong
I went to church each Sunday
While my friends skipped the next day
I was in school every Monday.

My momma watched my every move
She never let me from her sight
She made me study hard in school
And I never thought she did me right.

My momma never let her guard down
She stood strong in her beliefs
All the things she tried to teach
I learned before I reached 18.

My momma, I thought was my enemy
She wouldn't let me fly
and when we fought because of it
She'd never tell me why.

My momma said, one day I'd see
when I was fully grown
That what she did to protect me
I'd teach children of my own.

My momma, I guess she wasn't wrong
In fact, she was so right
'Cause now I have a little girl
and I braid her hair too tight.

When she says, "Oh Momma, please"
I just smile because I know
That she, too, will have the answers
When she has children of her own.