Write a poem for your mother. Write it for your mother and give it to her. It can be any kind of poem you like, as long as it’s especially for her.
This assignment was an impossibility to complete since my mother has been dead for the last 31 years. My mother died at the age of 57, much too early. Unfortunately, I have lived with the idea that my mother would not have died if she had taken care of herself. Why does a woman let herself be diminished by her appetite? I have a few theories in my mother's case--low self-esteem, unfulfilled dreams of a career, buying into the idea that a woman's only role is to be a wife and a mother. Of course, there could many more reasons, some of which would never have been revealed to me no matter how long she lived. There are some things one keeps to one's self.
I guess Michelle did not get as many responses as she had hoped for earlier in the month, because, the other day she posted something (which, now, I can't find to quote accurately) asking those who've held out to please consider writing a short poem. If the issues we all seem to have with our mothers are overwhelming, and have held us back in their expression, perhaps something shorter would be doable. So, I've taken that advice and written something short. It is posted on the October 2016 padlet. And for today, I've gathered a few haiga that I wrote about my mother. They've all been posted here before.
Mother's Day 2011:
Mother's Day 2012:
January 2014:
Mother's Day 2016:
The Poetry Friday Round-Up is taking place today at The Miss Rumphius Effect. Stop by!
© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.
Four poems about your mother! It is a provocative topic. I've been working on mine, but I can't quite complete it in a way that appeals to me. My mother is still living and I want to honor her for her dedication to our family. It's hard to put that in words. Maybe the simplest are best. I love your first one, the memory of a kiss.
ReplyDeleteThe best part of haiku/senryu is reducing an image to its essence. Doing so allows the audience to bring their own experiences into the reading.
DeleteSo beautiful and poignant, all - thank you for gathering to share here, Diane. Love the bite of the Apple Pie poem, and the memories. I remember Woolworth's being a wonderland for eyes barely high enough to reach the counter, too. Sending warmest wishes as you remember your mother.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robyn. I have fond memories of Woolworth's and their pet section with its chittering parakeets and singing canaries.
DeleteThanks for posting these beauties, Diane, and for the back story about the one you wrote for the challenge. Fifty-seven truly is much too early! It's interesting for me as I read all the poems each month that more and more, I look at them with two sets of eyes. The first set appreciates the quality and effort put into each poem, the second set are the eyes of a friend who more or less oozes emotionality and just wants to go around hugging everyone.
ReplyDeleteThrow a virtual hug my way, today. I could sure use it. We had "active shooter" training today that put me into a deep funk.
DeleteAll so touching and personal, but so different in approach...nicely done, Diane.
ReplyDeleteEvery human being, and every human relationship, is complex so poems about one person can touch on all aspects.
Delete"Sweet was never freely/ available" is so revealing. Mother issues. That would have been much easier to write about than a tender poem for mom. I contributed one I wrote some years back, but it's more along the acerbic line.
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with acerbic!
DeleteThanks for sharing the backstory about your poem. Didn't realize your mom had died so young! As you said, all relationships are complex; that between a mother and daughter especially so. Enjoyed all these extra Mother's Day poems too. :)
ReplyDeleteComplex, but not without love.
DeleteYour poems with their gorgeous presentations always inspire, Diane. I too can relate to the wonder of Woolworth's. But my favorite of these is the Lily of the Valley (Muguet) hint of a fragrance poem, paired with the beautiful photo.
ReplyDeleteLily of the Valley was my mother's favorite flower. I love its frangrance.
DeleteDiane, my favorite one is the first one because of its simplicity and genuineness. A mother's kiss is sweet and the photo is precious. All of the poems are so different and so beautifully crafted in an #imagepoem format-digital inspirations for sure.
ReplyDeleteThat was my mother's way of checking to see if we had a fever--lips to the forehead.
DeleteFour gems, Diane! I especially love the simplicity of the first one, and the insights into how your mother's sour pie reflected on you. It's good to love the sour (or whatever you've got!)
ReplyDeleteAnd it was really good pie!
DeleteThose are lovely. This challenge was hard for me, too. I love how thoughtful you are, trying to understand her and the things she was passing to you.
ReplyDeleteSome times I just have to let the hard challenges go by the wayside.
DeleteAs I've grown I've realised how lucky I am to have a wonderful relationship with a very supportive mother, thought I don't know if I could find the words to write about her.
ReplyDeleteIt is often better not write at all then to write something that ends up sounding like a greeting card. I can do those, too, but they never have a genuine quality to them. (Plus, I hate rhyme!)
DeleteI think this sour-apple-pie poem almost epitomises your poetry voice, Diane (or what I know of it); it's not overly sweet - but so distinctive on the tongue. The collection is beautiful. Every word count in each varied poem. (Mother's Day gifts is a perfect blend of words and images, and I love that last stanza.)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kathryn. I truly enjoyed putting that last one together with the illustration.
DeletePoignant poems, Diane. My favorite line: "we came to love the sour". Thanks for sharing these. =)
ReplyDeleteI still love sour. Which reminds me of a recipe I have for lemon bread. After it's done baking, you poke holes in the top, mix lemon juice with a little bit of sugar and pour it over. When the bread is cool and you take a bite, you'll get a surprising hit of sour against the sweetness of the bread. It's fabulous!
DeleteDiane, I understand more than a few typed words can express. My mother passed away only seven years ago....typing only seven years ago actually kinda hurts. I miss her terribly. And, there are many things about mom that I wish could have been worked out between us before she left this world. The challenge to write about my mom was even tougher as Ken's poems are so whimsical! They are fun and bright and full of energy. I found myself doing quite a bit of brainstorming and word listing before making an attempt. Your poems above are lovely. And, my hope is that as they go out into the universe they find a way to your mother. Sending you a hug with this comment.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your hug and I send you one in return. Peace.
DeleteWhenever I get the Vermont Country Store catalog I wonder what the vintage perfumes smell like, with their elegant names. You captured so much, as usual, with strong sensory details. xoxo
ReplyDelete