“Mama’s Shoulders”

I seen her heels crack but her smile never did…

If love was work — she gave it overtime.

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She wore dreams like coats, stitched in silence

Two jobs, late classes, still danced with defiance

Broadway lights, but came home to dim ones

Cooked with a script in hand — still got it done

Mama was the sun when the house got cold

Turned government checks into pockets of gold

Ain’t no man held it down like she did with grace

Kept food and forgiveness in the same plate

I watched her turn bills into bedtime stories

Wipe tears then iron clothes for the morning

She gave up sleep so I could have rest

Put her own dreams on hold just to give me her best

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All that weight on mama’s shoulders

Still moved like it ain’t nothin’ heavy

Carried my world, made hers colder

Still smiled like her burden was steady

She never bent, she never broke

Held it all while I lost hope

Mama, I owe you more than I know

You the realest love I ever wrote

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She ain’t cry loud, just prayed in the kitchen

Burnt rice, but her love always hittin’

Even when I slipped, she stayed locked in

Said, “You gon’ shine — just clean what you walk in”

I seen her act on stage and act strong at home

Margie the queen, turned struggle to throne

She ain’t need applause, just wanted me straight

Sacrificed her light so I could escape

Mama taught me more than a book or block

Taught me how to rebuild when the doors all locked

Taught me what grace look like under stress

And how a woman love deep even when there’s less

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All that weight on mama’s shoulders

Still moved like it ain’t nothin’ heavy

Carried my world, made hers colder

Still smiled like her burden was steady

She never bent, she never broke

Held it all while I lost hope

Mama, I owe you more than I know

You the realest love I ever wrote

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You ain’t just raise me — you carried me.

And I swear, I see your strength in every step I take now.