in a mother's eyes

thoughts on a depressing day

the vacant look
in your eyes;
sores on your
pale face
I tried not to see;
always late,
with a different man
in tow ...

I tried not to judge
too harshly.

but the pain on your
boy's face when he
said "I hate her
when she does
that to me!"
made me realize
you are no mother
in a mother's eyes.

Author's Note

that's it I haven't any other explanation.

Reviews

[Matching Socks]

There's nothing good about a scene like this. Heartbreaking

[Lyn Anderson]

Yeah, that was a bad day. I have worked for CAS and as a bus driver -- in both places I see things I would rather not see.

[Matching Socks]

CAS. Is that child services? I can imagine.
I used to volunteer a lot of my time at central neighbourhood house in Regent Park.
I still mentor two of the kids, teenagers now. Heartbreaking and cruel s**t people put kids through.
Screws you up for life.

[Lyn Anderson]

yes, child services. Up north, part time emergency duty goes to anyone with a clean record check and an education.

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

Reading your work and watching the video...powerful. Tragedy comes to mind...collateral damage makes me sad. We can be such fragile and flawed people...when in such a down spin responsibility is lacking. Seeing Amy Winehouse makes me feel things I don't want to feel. I am rambling, so I must focus. This poem is all the more powerful because of the child. The scars of the children indict us without even a word. I am haunted by this you've written.

[Lyn Anderson]

This was a hard day for me. I have never wanted to rescue a child before and take him home. I did that day. I still do.

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

I understand.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

her eyes, the sores, the different men----the alienation of her son...yes, i can understand his sentiment...she is lost and needs to find herself so that she can search and see if she can find her son again...but right now...she is no mother..and he is mad because he needs her.

a really intense, moving write.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. I'd rather pretend such things don't happen, but it is hard to take, when it happens right in front of you.

[Coyote Poetry]

Honest places and thoughts you took the reader. The eyes tell the truth. Hard to grasp when we disappoint the people we love. Thank you dear Poet for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Lyn Anderson]

Well this particular mother was too stoned to notice anyone's disappointment.

[Coyote Poetry]

Love is the rarest gift. We must learn lessons how not to be. My father taught me to be a proper father. He was not.

[Lyn Anderson]

That's how my dad learned too. Lucky for myself and my sister, we didn't have to learn the other way.

[highonwords]

ouch, ouch, ouch - this hurts a lot for a mother - to be judged by a stranger and her own flesh and blood - could leave mothers crying alone in a comfort room, in a low-lighted room - loneliness is a plague that drives some mothers, especially single mothers, into the arms of a new man - but if it is love, then no one can judge anyone for that

always,
steph

[Lyn Anderson]

Hmm, interesting way to read into this -- straight up, nothing makes me feel pity for anyone but the boy.

[highonwords]

we all have to adjust in life, also we have to grow up, broaden our perspective - i know this would be asking too much from children, the young, especially, as they are still learning the template they will soon adopt in their adult years - talking issues out in a polite and respectful way, having the assurance of a mother's love towards her child is paramount in this kind of situations

much love,
steph