Portrait of you

You always were the stronger one,
and from you I learnt to stand tall and speak up
And you always were,ever so gentle,
teaching me along the way,to be mindful of others
Moments of you,I catch a glimpse of,every now and then..As I wait for the bus
walk to school
or hum your favourite hymn from church
Your smile, and your eyes,
I see forever sketched in my memory
Yet even if I were to lose that,
I wud stil be a canvas of you..
For your grace,your heart,your spirit..and your crooked little toe on my right foot..
Throughout the years,as I grew,
I taught myself to rebel against you
Yet now,as I walk down the street,
"How very much like her!",they exclaim
And I,daughter that I be,walk proudly on..

(For my mum,Elelwani Marema,1956-2005)