Fernando Ortega

Mildred Madalyn Johnson

Fernando Ortega


Mildred Madalyn Johnson 
Born in the autumn of 1916 

A shy, pretty girl from East Texas 
Religious and restless 
Humble and kind as a person could be 

She loved to sing in the choir 
Loud and inspired 
Her head tilted down, keeping time 

Or tell stories with friends after supper 
Ignoring the hour 
A calico cat fast asleep at her side 

And she loved to drive 
Her big red car 
Though she couldn't see over 
The hood very far 
She'd back out the driveway 
And point that thing down the road 
We'd say, Lord, there she goes 

Her hair was silver and messy 
She walked in a hurry 
Worried about wasting the day 

Some nights she sat at her dresser 
Composing long letters 
Falling asleep with a pen in her hand 

And she loved to drive 
Her big red car 
A scarf round her shoulders 
Her foot to the floor 
Down to the grocery 
She'd wave good-bye 
And we'd pray 
Lord, bring her back safe. 

And she loved to drive 
Her big red car 
Though she couldn't see over 
The hood very far 
She'd back out the driveway 
And point that thing down the road 
We'd say, Lord, there she goes 

Mildred Madalyn Johnson 
Marvelous woman 
I was so lucky 
To call her my friend