Once the rose among the thorns,
You are now the ‘Rose beyond the wall’ my Mother,
Where now you are walking so tall,
Wise and confident,
Instead of head bowed down, so small.

I remember you my Mother,
Electric shock treatment, cigarettes and all.
The fire poker which beat you so small.
The shoes that battered and bruised your head to your soul.

The hours, the days, the years that were stolen
By all that destroyed
Your love, your life, your dance, your smile,
The bride in you, the dancer in you,
The woman in you, the mother in you,
My Mother.

Joy, once robbed, has now been gained,
Where now you walk so tall,
My Mother.