"THAT"S ALL THAT MATTERS..."

The woman's steep and steady stare
Corroded into a grimace, as she began to swear
"My dear 'ol Lord, what the hell you here for boy?"
She rolled her eyes away, as if to say
Don't  ya do that agin' boy, don't even think it
It was a phrase she was raised on, for bitterness and
In jest, she could express herself so well, you'd never
Notice, that this woman was one hundred and twelve
Years had gone by in her lifetime, and we all gathered
Round her picnic table, with kids in the mix, the clatter
Was all that she could do to concentrate, to make herself
Repeat the words that her father had said, "That's all that matters"
It was like her living, karmic, mantra, she spoke these four words with pride
Over and over and over, it became the name spread far and wide
Referring to her epitaph, here lies an age old woman, that touched
everyone with grace, dignity and noble intent, and
"That's All That Matters"...........

Tony Taylor  (Chicago)