“Whistling” by Marlo Malies

When I was a little girl I heard whistling.
I was with Mama at the grocery store
and ran off to find what I’d heard.
Then I saw him, old, frail, happy.
He was whistlin’ while picking up groceries.
He whistled and walked while getting milk,
whistled and whistled, getting bread n’ cheese.
Mama got mad; she never whistled ever.

I was perplexed by the sound of the man,
a tune of joy, freedom, and the love of life.
My childhood was sad, yet I dreamed of him,
dreamed someday I could be happy too.

Mama and I found Jesus,
and Mama started to whistle and taught me how.
Now I whistle and whistle while at the store.
Kids listen to me and they cock their heads,
I whistle louder and hope they can too.