Mona Frame |
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| “AMERICA” America the Beautiful! It overwhelms me, And I think of all the shut-ins, And the blind that cannot see. The dumb that cannot speak their praise. The deaf that cannot hear The sound of running waters Or birds singing in their ears. For there are some around us That will always criticize The Government! Its people! And little children’s cries. But oh I hope and pray The day will come to these that see And waken to this wondrous land Where freedom reigns And flags fly free! I was not born in this great land, We call “America, the Free!” But I am proud that I became A citizen at thirty-three. The England that I left so many years ago Those childhood dreams and memories Will be with me where’er I go For it was in my childhood dreams I planned one day to see America the Beautiful! America the Free! And now my time is running short And memories may grow dim But I’m proud to be an “American” And have a peaceful heart within. ---Mona Frame Broken Memories What do you see, nurse, what do you see? Are you thinking when you look at me - A crabbed old woman, not very wise Uncertain of habit with far away eyes, Who dribbles her food and makes no reply When you say in a loud voice - "I do wish you’d try." Who seems not to notice the things that you do And forever is losing a stocking or shoe, Who resisting or not, lets you do as you will With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill. Is that what you’re thinking, is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurse. You’re not looking at me. I’ll tell you who I am as I sit here so still. As I move at your bidding, eat at your will, I’m a small child of ten, with a father and mother, Brothers and sisters who love one another; A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet, Dreaming that soon a love she’ll meet; A bride of twenty, my heart gives a leap, Remembering the vows I promised to keep; At twenty-five now I have young of my own. Who need me to build a secure, happy home. A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast, Bound together with ties that should last. At forty, my young sons have grown up and gone, But my man’s beside me to see I don’t mourn, At fifty once more babies play round my knee - Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead. I look at the future, I shudder with dread. For my young are all rearing young of their own, I think of the years and the love that I’ve known. I’m an old woman now and nature is cruel Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool. The Body it crumbles, grace and vigor depart. There is a stone where I once had a heart. But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells, And now again my bittered heart swells. I remember the joys, I remember the pain And I’m loving and living life over again. I think of the years, all too few, gone too fast, And accept the stark fact that nothing can last. So open your eyes, nurse, open and see. Not a crabbed old woman, Look closer – see me! Narrated by Mona Frame: 2nd runner up of the “Miss Senior American Pageant” Winner of “Miss Congeniality” of 1995 |
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