By Janise Johnson, Virginia State University
To have and to hold
The beauty of watching your life
For who am I?
To be chosen for such a gift
Nothing have I done
Is as elegant as this
To be called upon in hard times
To be called upon in happy times
To be called...just because I am
Nothing that exists
Could have prepared me for this
To be called from the next room
To be called from 10 hours away
To be called from 3 days away
To be called Mom
When so many can’t call Mom
About the Author
Janise Johnson, Virginia State University
Janise Johnson is a senior transfer student and Creative Writing major and Virginia State University. She is an Army veteran, a mother, a grandmother, and a retired federal employee. She is also a business owner and has written the first edition of her monthly newsletter, “The Black Veteran.”