Randy E. Richmond
MAMASAN
Funny how things come to mind
When thoughts return to bygone time
When work and war were all around
Where much was lost and little found
That now I’m given pause for thought
Of items at the PX bought
For a little lady who did our chores
Like shining shoes and sweeping floors
Changed our sheets, washed clothes and such
Paid just a little for doing much
She took time away from doing these
To teach me to count in Vietnamese
She showed me pictures of her child
Pleased that I had looked and smiled
Late twenties, early thirties at best
Younger than one would have guessed
We’d often tease her just to get a rise
Then she’d scold us with laughter in her eyes
Or sneak up behind her and give her a hug
While she was beating the dust out of a rug
Rarely, she’d ask me to get a few things
“When you go to PX, would me you bring
Tide soap, Ritz cracker, and don’t forget:
one carton of Salem cigarette?”
Didn’t matter to me that she never smoked
For my two years, she was pretty good folk
I can still see the face of that lady named ‘Sow’
And I wonder where she is and what she’s doing now…
©Copyright September 25, 2007 by Randy E. Richmond
Randy and the Hootch Mamasan: Long Bihn - 1969-1970
The writing of this poem was triggered by the line, “Salem was their favorite brand” (4th line, 1st stanza) of the poem, “War Children”, ©Copyright September 25, 2007 by Terry D. Sutherland