I knew a man whose life was swell and grand
Known for his good character through out the land
Handsome, a real sight, broad-shouldered and fit
One physical flaw, from time to time, his eye suffered a twitch
A miserly person he was not
Mom and Da slept on plush feathers, he slept on cot
A dutiful son looked at in amazement
He loved father fondly, of course mother was his favorite
She was gentle, yet stern, experienced and wise
Beautiful despite she was missing her left eye
In fact mother’s absolute favorite thing to do
Hold her son and let him know, “I’ve got my eye on you”
They talked for hours laughing and sharing into the night
Mother would fall asleep, Son would tuck her in tight
Come morning, there’d be toast and tea, more chats and laughs
All the adorations that a family can have
Father quietly protected Son and Mother’s world
One thing that mucked it all up, Son finally met a girl
He courted her and sported her much those passing days
Mother and he, little by little, lost their laughing ways
Days lost the battle to weeks, and weeks lost to months
After wedding bands and bells, children were sure to come
Mother was now Grandmother doing what she had to do
All the while she told her son, “I’ve still got my eye on you”
One day the grandchildren began shouting a dreadful shout
Their mother bustled down the stairs to see what the shouting was about
She found her children pointing, trapped in their cries
They were frightened to the core because Grandma was missing an eye
The wife told her husband she knew that this was so
“Husband, tell your mother it’s time for her to go”
Grandmother realized what she didn’t want to believe
Her son was in agreement that it was time for her to leave
She said, “Son, I know what you THINK you have to do
Just know “I’m still your mother, and I’ve got my eye on you”
Again, the day lost battle of times to weeks
Grandmother and Son were on the outs, the two would barely speak
Distant days later there came a rapping on the door
Father said, “Boy, don’t let me pound this door once more”
The door was opened and Father feigned as if he’d hit
He maintained his reserve, looked at his son, and simply told him, “Sit”
What is this I’ve heard from your mother’s. mouth?
Her eye scares your children, and you throw her fro. your house?
I must tell you something about the night that you were born
Entrusted with this secret, I was duly sworn
When your mother bore you, my heart began to cry
My soul trembled because you were born with just one eye
Your mother took my hand and told me you’d be fine
Then said to the doctor, “Please give him mine”
So the doctor obeyed until his very last stitch
Why is it do you think that eye if yours always has a twitch
Your mother gave you half if her sight, and this what you do?
What do you think she meant all those time she said, “I’ve got my eye on you?”
We’re parents, Son … We make mistakes
It’s not the tall things, but small things we do that make us great
So fix this, your wife will understand what you must do
Just teach her the importance of your mother’s eye on you
-By Hamza Franklin