My Dear Louisio

My parents were very well to do, so we had a full-time maid;
Six days a week she worked for them, cleaned, and our beds made!
A sweet black lady we called Louisio, Louise her given name;
A very kind and gentle woman, who with us, found lots of fame!
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For she made a much higher salary, than all her other friends;
My parents with her were generous, which in those days, made amends!
I loved my dear Louisio, she was a surrogate Mom to me;
Oft times she would babysit, when my parents away would be!
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When they’d leave for overnight on Friday, Thursday night they gave her cash;
To stop downtown the following morning, and pick up quite a stash!
Bringing turnip greens, cornbread, and a ham hock, cooking them all day;
We’d pig out on her Southern cooking, till the whole pot went away!
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We watched TV together, after my Sister went to bed;
We talked about all my problems, good thoughts to me she fed!
I never will forget her, she brought such joy into my life;
Sacrificing much of her own, which I’m sure, was filled with strife!
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                                    Oh Louisio
                  Thanks for these great memories
                             My second Mother