Joanna Gilman Hyde

My Mother was what’s called

A Cute Chick

little and headstrong

blonde and quirky

She lived alone on an island

and expected Her Guests

to be as charmed by Her Play House

as She was

even when They had to use

The 3-holer Privy

and brush Their Teeth

with one glass of water.

She never got old

struck down by a brain tumour

at age 57

and turned into A Chickadee

when She died.