At three I made my own breakfast
from milk and orange juice
a bowl and box of cereal
an unseen hand placed on the lowest shelves.
I was straight and sturdy
proud of my little self.
I never knew.
At twenty, I shunned marriage
turned away from my fine job
headed West--
the summer of love
North Beach poetry
music in the parks.
I was a rebel. I would be different.
I never knew.
"My art comes first," my new husband cautioned
as we left the justice of the peace.
He was crazy
chased women
drank.
Onward I marched
Athena, sword drawn.
I never knew.
Ah well. You've heard the story.
Single parenthood
my own crazy
choices that seemed bold and new
creative and affirming.
Until they died, Mom and Dad,
I never knew I marched behind
an invisible shield they held before me.
At last I see, at last I know.
photo courtesty of Willow. Read more writing from this prompt on Magpie Tales.
15 comments:
I think we all finally realize that the shield of love has always been with us...when it is gone.
Heavy!!!!!!!!!!
very moving, Suki.
I can't praise this enough....
I KNOW how you feel about your poems....but you are waaaayy too harsh a judge! This is powerful and moving.... and very good!! And I love it! (So there....)
Ha-ha!
Love, always,
♥ Robin from the "Rain Capital of the World" ♥
wow...again
I really understood this. Very moving. Tells a life time of not seeing what was right in front of us.
This brought a tear to my eye. Please keep writing poems.
Suki, I am really enjoying your poetry!
Thanks!! Lisa
Your poem makes me want to savor the moments I have right now .....
Yikes. This goes straight to my heart.
I feel I have seen your life, a life, all of our lives in your poem. Very poignant.
Cuts through it all and bravely offers a little taste of what a life is.
So much of what we learn and receive from our parents is by osmosis - it is not a conscious thing. I love this poetry Suki, it is very real and strong!
Wow. This is such strong, wonderfully moving poetry, Suki. I have to tell you (again!) how talented you are. Beautiful!!! xo
oh my, this is my new favorite!
It completely moved me. I loved the mystery of not knowing what it was you never knew until the very end.
Magnificent writing, Suki.Truly.
Lo♥
Wow...so true. I know I will miss that invisible shield when my mom passes, too...
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