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Poetry From My Mother...
She wrote this as surely
as if it were with her own hand
She inspired me to look at
everyday things with new eyes.
She taught me to take the things
that life hands out
and make them new and exciting
To look at something small and insignificant
[in other eyes] and see the beauty
I did not always apply the lessons
that she taught me, to my own life
I made mistakes
She did not chasten me
she let silence and consequence
bring home the lesson
She led by example, forgiving slights
and outright abuse
She gave more of herself than she had to give
time and time again. She walked without fear
through the bad neighborhoods
because she believed in the goodness
of hearts, and forgave the one person that robbed her
because he was a cute, scared kid, [that probably needed it
more than her]
There was always a place at her table
a bed, wherever there was room to lie down
and an ear to listen to a tale of woe
Her family consisted of kids of all ages
any color, from anywhere, if they were our friends
they were her children and many still think
of her as a 'Mom'
She had heartbreak and sorrow, and she had love for all
and now, I see her reward was all the love she got back
There will be many tears, many stories of how she helped
and the memories of the moments
she shared of her life with others
All will have a piece of her, MY mom
and I won't be jealous, I'll be proud
Style / type:
Free verse
Review Request (Intensity):
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Review Request (Direction):
What did you think of my title?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Last few words:
This was inspired by Tim [Rosewood Apothecary] from the poem for his mother. In his last words he says "A gift for my mother
and he goes on to explain that he thinks that poetry is a magical gift from a mother as she carries a person in her womb.
I took it one step further and explained how I think that it is not only a magical gift, but also one that a mother gives her children as she raises them. Thank you, Tim, ~ Geez.
.
Editing stage:
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Not Explicit Content
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Region & Country
New York State - USA
Favorite Poets
Poe, Emily Dickenson, Robert Frost, Shakespeare, and many of the poets here at Neopoet.
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Comments
Lavender
Sun, 2022-08-07 13:25
Poetry From My Mother
Hi, Geezer,
What a tribute to your mother! I recall other pieces you've shared about your mother as you were growing up, and now as you care for her. I would agree, the foundation of your poetry would stem from the sincere and generous relationship you have with her. I would also agree that you are able to see "everyday things with new eyes" as expressed in so much of your work. Thank you for letting us meet your mother through your poetry.
L
I might add that I noticed this is not a rhyming poem, which I think is your norm. But for me, it feels so much more personal, genuine and inviting in free verse. Very special.
Geezer
Sun, 2022-08-07 18:58
Thank you...
My mother passed away from this life last night and it was a blessing. She was in a lot of pain, and she disliked pills and medicine. She knew she was dying and wanted to be alert for all her many visitors of children and grandchildren. My nephew, [a favorite] persuaded her to take enough to ease the pain somewhat, but not put her out of it. She was very much loved and thrilled that I had posted the poems written for her on Neo. She was always interested in them and the ones about our life on East Main St. She remembered the incidents written about and delighted that I held those moments in my heart. I will carry her lessons with me for the rest of my days. Yes, you are right, this is not my usual style, but I wanted it to be like a letter to the people who knew her. I am glad that you have gained a sense of who she was through my poetry. Hopefully, I will finish the book of poems about life on East Main St. soon and dedicate it to my mother. Thank you again, for your condolences. ~ Geez.
.
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author commentLavender
Sun, 2022-08-07 19:43
Hello, Geezer,
I'm so very sorry.
Many blessings to you and your family...and all your mother's innumerable friends.
L
Rosewood Apothecary
Sun, 2022-08-07 19:13
Kind sir
You are most welcome. I’m honored by this inspiration you’ve found and touched by your beautiful and endearing poem.
Really great job,
Tim
RoseBlack
Sun, 2022-08-07 20:56
A beautiful tribute
Our deepest condolences and thoughts. Your mother was deeply loved by all of you and I am sure she is smiling.
~RoseBlack~
Geezer
Mon, 2022-08-08 08:01
Thank you Carrie...
I am sure that you and my mother would have been fast friends. She truly appreciated the love and patience that a single mother has to have to raise her children. She had a great sense of humor and would have loved your children as she did her own. I told her about when Wendy and I used to watch your children as you worked, and she laughed at the antics of Kylee and Kote. Yes, I am sure that she is smiling at all the love expressed for her. She was humble and would say that she had done nothing special; just what any mother would have done. ~ Geez.
.
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author commentRoseBlack
Mon, 2022-08-08 08:19
I had
The privilege of meeting your mother once when I was pregnant for Kylee and she was very kind to me! I am sure they would have loved her as much as they do you and Wendy. :)
~RoseBlack~
Seren
Mon, 2023-02-06 10:25
Dearest Bro
Sigh I have tears in my eyes and I am finding it hard to see. My mother was the reason I started reading poetry as a small child. She had books of poetry scattered through the house. You know I only remember a handful of times I saw those books in her hands. She worked so hard as a nurse caring for her patients and then coming home and caring for us, I don't think she ever had the time. I remember laying in bed at night listening to my parents murmuring to each other in the dark of the night. Talking about family, Dads business. Time She should have taken for herself. She spent her whole life sacrificing for everyone else and forgot to be herself.
I find it hard even after all these years to let go. This is a wonderful tribute to your mother.
Love and higgliest bugs Sis xoxox
“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” — W.B. Yeats
Geezer
Mon, 2023-02-06 14:21
My mother...
was the woman that took care of both of her ex-husbands when they were in the last year of their lives. My father was a mean drunk, who beat anyone who dared stand up to him or if he had a bad day. He tried to run my mother and two sisters over with the car, and shot at me, thinking that I was the angel of death come to get him, because he was taking a drug to stop him from drinking, and he hallucinated. She never forgave him for those things, but she took care of him. He was a paraplegic in a wheelchair and needed lots of help. My half siblings' father was not quite as bad, but he beat her up a couple of times before she left him too. He had cancer and she stepped in after his own sister couldn't deal with him anymore. My mother was all these things and more than anyone ever knew, because she never said a word about how she felt, she just did what had to be done. I said this poem at her graveside when we buried her next to my brother that we lost at eighteen. When I was done, everyone applauded, and I felt like I was taking something away from what and who she was. My niece said to me, they weren't clapping for you, they were applauding your mom, because everyone here knows how much she loved and was loved. I have to stop, because I can't see anymore. ~ Love and higgest bugs, ~ Gee.
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