For my mom, Iridi Maria Teresa Gagliardi.

My mother's not a big woman
she's only five feet tall
But when I stand myself beside her
I'm the one who feels small

From convent school to prison camp
Her childhood stripped away
The horrors of the war
that time does not erase

For forty years she loved my dad
And raised our family
She's still in love though dad has died She knows his soul is free

She's worked hard and sacrificed
to give us all the best
She helped us with our homework
And study for our tests

Through many hard times in my life
Strapped for cash and filled with doubt She's been there to help me
even when she's gone without

My mom is my dearest friend
She's unique and she is wise
She's a gift that I've been given
She's an angel in disguise

Edwin Dante Larson

Copyright ©2004 Edwin Dante Larson