Thursday, September 09, 2010

A guest in my mother's house


Each week Willow posts a picture and members of Magpie Tales write poems and stories using the picture as a prompt. I am not a member, but this week I was moved both by Willow's poem about her mother and by the picture. I thought I was too late to post it on Magpie Tales' MrLinky but I was mistaken and Willow has added me to the site!

Earlier in the week I felt a poem forming and had written the line "I am a guest in my mother's house," in my journal. This afternoon I wrote the poem.

Into the depths of darkness
my mother turns,
turns her back on life
to journey an unseen path.
Turns her back on me, a guest now
in her vacant house.
A visitor, insecure,
uncomfortable on the hard
Puritan pew I inherited.

Though I sleep in her bed, eat
from her dishes,
I am outside looking in
to when
I was mothered
however awkwardly,
to when
I worshiped her competence,
courage, independence.
To when
I released, at last,
my resentment and anger
and gave love instead.

39 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

Oh, Suki, this is so incredibly touching and beautiful. And no, it's not too late...that's by 8:00 a.m. this coming Tuesday! Please do sign into Mr. Linky. If you don't I'll add you myself! This lovely piece needs to be shared.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

This is such a poignant poem Suki. It is always better to give over to love.

Lynn Cohen said...

It is moving and heartfelt. I almost wonder or am left wondering if there are more verses?

Tess Kincaid said...

Okay, I'm adding this wonderful piece to Magpie, Suki. Hope that's okay with you.

layers said...

wow-- this is a very powerful and moving poem- can tell that it came from a depth of feeling that you were finally able to release.

sukipoet said...

Oh thanks Willow! I guess I misread the date. I'm a bit ditsy. I knew there was a T in it and so thought skimmed and read Thursday. Duh. or as we said as children: doodoobrain.

Deborah said...

Wonderfully written.

Susannah said...

This is wonderful writing. I am so glad Willow added you. :-)

Unknown said...

Beautiful, being able to write and write well is such a gift.

patti said...

Wonderful healthy expression Suki - I love it!

Robin said...

Oh Suki, this is one of your most powerful and touching poems....

I cried.

I am glad Willow added you to "Magpie Tales"....you belong!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥

studio lolo said...

Suki, this poem really moves me. Especially knowing the little bit I know, and also in getting to know you more.

Bravo. It must feel like some kind of release.♥

cosmos cami said...

Loved this, loved this!

Loved the Puritain Pew and the whole resonating reflection of this.

Marilyn & Jeff said...

This is so lovely, growing up it's easy to have resentment and anger but how wonderful to give up those feeling up and give love instead.

~Babs said...

Suki, the strength of this work of yours comes from the heart of a true poet,,,,NOT a doodoobrain by any stretch!
Please be taking bows for this wonderful gift you've been blessed with.

(and post more!)

Gabriela Abalo said...

your poem is touching home.

Great that you chose love over resentment.

loveNlight
Gabi

Kathe W. said...

Suki- this so lovely and such a sweet rememberance and honoring of your Mother

kj said...

suki, even the phrase 'a guest in my mother's house' is so powerful by itself. this poem is so concise and revealing. it seems to span two lifetimes--hers and yours. the sense of entrapment, or perhaps living in the space and place of a complicated relationship, seizes me. very well done, suki.

of course you know i want to tell the narrator to move....

:)

love to you always, suki
kj

Tumblewords: said...

A powerful and poignant piece, the emotion is palpable. The title is perfect and your word choices are wonderful.

Umā said...

Beautiful poem Suki, so heartfelt and I can relate to some of these feelings myself.

Kim said...

Suki, talk about emotional, this one really hit me! It is so touching and so beautiful! You paint with words and this image is full of honor, raw honesty and love. It is not at all a surprise you went up on the site, because it would have been a real shame to loose this. I Love Your Art!

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

This came from such a deep part of you...thank you so much for this incredible sharing. The title alone speaks of so many levels of a relationship.

Martin said...

I agree with willow. "..so incredibly touching and beautiful."

Anonymous said...

Willow got it right. Suki... stunning write. Bisous, Love and Light, Sender

Brian Miller said...

ah i love where you went with this...that moment of letting go and letting love...a very touching mag!

Carrie Van Horn said...

Suki this is truly an amazing and moving poem...so glad i stopped by.
:-)

HisFireFlt said...

The release to love is truly the light in the darkness!

Beautiful thoughts and words

soulbrush said...

beautiful words, make me feel so sad. am taking a non blogging road for a while. thanks for all your visits and comments. hugs and as always i can 'feel' you deep in my soul suki. namaste.

Unknown said...

So perfect and touching.

Rene

Annie said...

Dear Suki, this is lovely and moving and honest.
Sedning love to you and Bibs today. xoxo

Robin said...

Love, love, LOVE the new header!
That Willow....she's wonderful!

Sending you and Bibs many hugs and kisses!

♥ Robin ♥

Tess Kincaid said...

Wow! It looks nice, Suki! xx

Katiejane said...

This is very touching, Suki, and I know it came straight from your heart.
Hugs..

Marion said...

This is awesome! I love the title..."I am a guest in my mother's house." It drew me in immediately. It's an amazing thing when anger leaves and love returns.

Tattered and Lost said...

Takes a lot of a us a long to get to that point, doesn't it. To release any angry and just accept and love.

Reflections said...

Beautifully poignant poem. Thank you for sharing this Suki.

Too many of us have difficulty moving past the childhood perspectives, living within the anger or passive resistance, and never get to the point of stepping into the give and take portion of love, especially with parent figures.

~T~ said...

Lovely. I feel it with you.

NanU said...

A very touching poem. I'm glad you joined us.

steviewren said...

Why is it that we grow up with so many resentments against our mothers? (me included) She probably was doing her best...just as I did with my children. *deep sigh*