The worst of them come with cages to contain
The best of them come with skies to soar
Between these are the average
Avoid the first like a plague
Make no plans with the latter
And fall – fall madly in love with the second
Dear Mama, give us men with skies
Keep our blood from mixing with Ghosts’
Keep our pearls from falling to swine
Let conquests and empires be our day
And love and ecstasy be our night
Dear Mama, give us men with skies.
The worst of them are green with night
The best of them are gold with sun
Between these are the typical
Avoid the first – with diplomacy
Break no bread with the latter
And give – give full loyalty to the second
Dear Mama, give us friends with sun
Keep our image from falling to shards
Keep our hearts from foolish distress
Let merry and gossip be our day
And love and devotion be our night
Dear Mama, give us friends with sun.
The worst of us are feather and glitter
The best of us are class and mind
Between these are the basic
Empower the first by your gifts
Have no satisfaction of the latter
And strive – strive doggedly to be the second
Dear Mama, make us women with mind
Keep our bodies from another’s soul
Keep our purpose from dying to rods
Let glory and praise be our day
And light and blood be our night
Dear Mama, make us women with mind.