Tag: mother
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One Heart
I think I’ve always thought of usas having two hearts -a literal one and a figurative one.The literal one gives us life,pumping blood throughout our bodies,delivering oxygen and nutrients to our cells,and removing waste;a muscle that needs to be protected,maintained, and strengthened.That heart is literally our life giver.The figurative heart was different, separate;love an abstract…
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I Wore My Daughter’s Pants Today, the Sequel
So last week I wrote a poem,(It rhymed and everything!),About wearing my daughter’s pants to work,And feeling sappy and sentimental,Melancholy with missing her,Explaining how it made me feel close to her.I wore my daughter’s pants again this past Saturday,But this time there was no bittersweet,Nor cosmic connection,But rather a desperate plea,From a desperate mom,Walking through…
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Two Year Anniversary
I woke this morning,At a hotel in Connecticut again,Having slept so well,With my daughter in the bed beside me,Her injured leg propped on three pillows,Feeling grateful I could do this one thing,To ease her pain and bring her comfort.So why did I feel a pit in my stomach?This pressure in my chest?A feeling of dread?And…
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One Year
Dear Mom, I can’t believe it’s been a year since I’ve seen you, hugged you, heard your laugh. I miss the way you made small talk with everyone, not sure who was family and who was caregiver, but simply leading with kindness. I miss the way you laughed so easily at yourself and what others…
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I’ll Miss You
While at WonderSpaces in Philadelphia this past weekend, I came upon an interactive art installation. The project asked museumgoers to take a white rolled slip of paper from the wall. On the paper, we were to write words we wish we’d said to someone, whether a comeback, final words, or the perfectly worded expression. We…
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National Poetry Month-Touch (Rondine)
Touch-what our skin craves and our soul desires. When was the last time she had received it? It had been 20 years since my dad passed, Sure, there were hugs and kisses when greeting, But the youngest grandchild was all grown up, Leaving her lap barren for a decade, Touch. I often rubbed her arms,…
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National Poetry Month-The Day She Was Born
On the day she was born, I expected a boy, But as noon followed morn, This girl brought me joy! Everyone guessed a boy, But no matter-what love, I’d never known such joy, My gift from above! All that matters-what love! Now I am a mother, To this gift from above, This love like no…
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Her Last Day
I can tell right away that things have changed, Something is different about her, Hazel eyes locked on the ceiling, She doesn’t even sense me, Shallow comes her breathing, Her arms reach straight up, Her lips-a smile, Unknown words, Eyes close, Sleep. An Etheree poem, starting at 10 syllables and working down to 1 Photo:…
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So Much Clapping
It had been a long, hot summer with little to no rain. I watered my gardens daily and got a break from mowing since the grass barely grew. It was the middle of August and this particular day was a scorcher. Out running errands, I decided to stop and see my mom at her assisted…
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The Stockings Were Hung…
Stockings Made with love Upon each grandchild’s arrival Regardless of the month. She would run to the fabric store And comb through the patterns To find just the right scene for the new baby. Felt cut with accuracy And layered just so Then stitched with steady hands And held in place by the tiny sequins…
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The Cardinal
“Look at the cardinal!” my mother would exclaim,As she had a hundred times before,And always with the same awe and delight,Washing dishes at the kitchen picture window.Her favorite bird, she wore it on sweaters, scarves and pins,A bright pop of color on a cold winter day,A sign of joy for her many blessings,And hope for…
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Do you love me unconditionally?
Do I love you unconditionally? Well, that’s conditional Conditional Depends on conditions How I feel What I’m doing How your words strike me If your actions trouble me If your behaviors trigger my insecurity If my fear is in the driver’s seat If you’re struggling If I’m struggling If you threaten my self esteem If…
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A Eulogy
This Sunday, we will be memorializing my 89 year old mother in a ceremony at her church of 63 years. She and I had a complicated relationship in many ways. I have spent my lifetime trying to peel back the layers of what was hers and what is mine. Ultimately, I found such hope and…
The Journey Inward 