[I am posting this in response to Poets United Thursday Think Tank prompt: Family. I wrote it some years ago the night before Mother's Day. I am happy to report all are doing very well now. But when it comes to a poem about family, this was ours at one time. We loved our way through to calmer seas. I now understand an obelisk is a tower, not this pregnant-shaped moon. But I love the sound of it, so will leave it be.]
Obelisk moon
suspended in the sky
like a seven-months
pregnant woman
gliding by,
four times I sailed
proud and serene
like you,
small voyagers
aswim in a sea of dreams
all safe within.
I tacked and drifted,
set the mainsail fast
those sunny days
we thought would
for forever last.
How I dreamed
such simple dreams
of happiness:
the future
such a whole
and shining thing
life's songs
all waiting there
for them to sing
joyously
like laughing lovers
in the sun
and be happier than I
when I was young.
Now one son laughs
and lives his life
and one son weeps
in a maze from which
he cannot
find his way.
One daughter struggles
but goes on,
one daughter sweeps
from depth to wave-peak
in a single day
four small precarious
passengers
hanging on
without the chance
to choose
to a mother
not completely here
they are afraid
to lose.
And I?
My heart still sails
through seas sublime
my compass pointed
firmly towards
a hope
that I would keep
but all the time
a nightwatchman
lives on board
who never sleeps
and I wait
for that call
that knock in the night
to sound again
that is my world
come crashing down
in pain.
My heart lives now
four other hearts
inside.
Their journeys
become
my journey
and it is
a bumpy ride.
32 mother's days
sailing by so fast
on this sea of hope
where nothing ever lasts
days of unbearable beauty
unbearable sorrow
the best gift:
my children,
all alive
tomorrow.
Lovely poem -sad but reflecting a good mother's feelings. Our children certainly do strain our emotions don't they?
ReplyDeleteA gentle, honest poem about the odd mix of sorrow and joy motherhood introduces us to. Our hearts get bigger, break more often...and we don't regret the jouney for a minute...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Sherry, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteReally liked this one - engaging and powerful.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and your four.
Packs quite a punch. I think this will resonate with any parent, mother or father. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteMs. Moon would like this, I think.
ReplyDeleteThis is motherhood in a nutshell, all it's joy and sorrow...lovely piece Sherry...bkm
ReplyDeleteSeems no family is without its joys and sorrows, or different ways of dealing with life. Mothers, well, they have that inherent need to keep all together. It's not easy...
ReplyDeleteLovely poem.
This is just my second read for tonight and my eyes swell with tears, as I read an article with the same theme.. About mothers. My mom died November last year and I wasn't even there on her final moments.
ReplyDeleteThis piece well defines the essence of a mother.
Beautiful Sherry.
ReplyDeleteThe love of a mother and the concern for the children- you have portrayed beautifully..
I love the lines
"My heart lives now
four other hearts
inside.
Their journeys
become
my journey
and it is
a bumpy ride."
Lovely poem, as others have said. Sorrows oftentimes lead to joys, though it may take a while!
ReplyDeleteDear Sherry,
ReplyDeleteYou have really done it this week.
This is a real tear-jerker, but of the reality which most mothers will empathize with.
I loved the sheer honesty and more than that it abounds with such love.
Thank you Sherry for sharing this very powerful piece of writing.
Best wishes, Eileen :)
32 mother's days
ReplyDeletesailing by so fast
on this sea of hope
where nothing ever lasts
days of unbearable beauty
unbearable sorrow
the best gift:
my children,
all alive
tomorrow.
hope is unkillable.
glad that kids are alive in the end despite everything happened.
Children can bring both joy AND sorrow, but they are a wonderful blessing despite the sometimes occuring bumps! Very nice write!
ReplyDelete32 Mother's Day...This was a powerful piece. There was rhythm to it like a great song. Meaningful, for sure.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful, and I totally relate. I remember thinking, one day they'll all be grown, and I can stop worrying. As you well know, the worry never ends, as I've learned the hard way.
ReplyDeleteyour poem touched my heart, sherry. motherhood is indeed God's greatest gift to women. we live for our kids. if not for them, we would have given up a long, long time ago. we draw our strength from them.
ReplyDelete"My heart still sails
through seas sublime..."
i can relate to that, sherry.