Memories of Mamma Jamma 2009

The Inaugural Texas Mamma Jamma Ride in 2009 was a very special day for everyone involved. In case you were not there, please enjoy this poem and photos written by Francine Fowler:

Memories of Mamma Jamma

cold morning, coffee brewing

at the crack of dawn

waiting for my friend and ride

my bike and gear out in the lawn

we’re relaxed and chatting,

training and fund raising done

we’re on our way to mamma jamma

to celebrate and have some fun

everyone’s arriving,

all in padded pants,

we rose up early this good morn

to offer others a better chance

we ride in blessed memory

of those who fought the fight

we keep their hearts and spirits living

in our hopeful shining light

the volunteers are cheering

showing us the way

we give our thanks and bow our heads

for this amazing day

legs spinning, nature singing

the smell of fresh mown grass

cows and goats and wildflowers

farm dogs barking as we pass

three vultures black in mourning

as we ride by, I’ve got a hunch

that all this bike activity

has kept them from their lunch

we wind the narrow country roads

talking of our dreams and past

car up, car back,  up hill then down

forming friendships we hope will last

the donkey loudly brays at us

so loud we start to laugh

we laugh so hard we split our sides

great memories of mamma jamma ride

our legs are tired but we pedal on

the signs say that we’re almost done

the volunteers are cheering

as if the race we’d won

we’ve pedaled many miles today

we did it because we cared

we feel uplifted and fulfilled

with the love and hope we’ve shared

   

                           Francine Fowler

                           10/10/2009