I'm going to a party
Mother says, "Be careful."
I say, "Yes Mother."
I start to walk out the door.
Mother says. "Don't drink and drive."
I say, "Yes mother."
I walk to my car, mother follows.
Mother says, "I love you."
I say. "I've got to go."

I'm at the party.
I'm having a great time.
A friend offers me a drink
but I decline.
"Mother says, not to drink."
He rolls his eyes.
"Mother's not here." He offers it to me again.
"Mother says not to give into peer pressure."
I turn and walk away.

I'm laying on the cement,
a ringing in my ears.
I barely saw the car,
as it crossed that yellow line.
Mother says, "Be careful."
I was, he wasn't.
Mother says, "Don't drive drunk."
I didn't, he did.
Mother says, "I love you."
I wished I'd said it back.

I did what Mother said
so why am I lying in a pool of my own blood?
Why am I the one who has to pay the price?