Tangle Teaser

(written after visiting my Mum, who now receives 24 hour nursing care), and yes I frequently comb her hair

I wonder Mum, if you recall

that game we played when I was young?

Those times I'd seat you in a chair

to ask you how you'd like your hair.

On tip-toe I would section strands,

tease out the tangles, ease the knots,

then twist your dampened wavy locks

round rollers with my fumbling hands.

A mirror glance and you would smile,

how patiently you'd play along.

A pleasing nod, you'd turn to say,

"I rather like this back-combed style".

And then I'd try with steady hand

to paint the colour on your lips,

apply mascara with a wand,

all treasures from your bag of tricks.

Where do the passing years all go

for you and I are now steel grey?

My mother and my loving friend,

but when I saw you yesterday,

the infant child cried out in me.

I had a yen to start again.

to stand there with my brush and comb

and tease the tangles from your hair.

Reviews

[¿]

It's smooth touchy to heart Chris...,my mother if ever falls sick..I so hope she never sees me crying on the memories of playing with her at active times...that'd make her the most sad!
But I love to show her the smile when she gets well...I so hope for the wellness of your mom dear! You're going to have more tangle teasing of your mother and playfulness with her - Ameen😊

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Tahsin. The adult in me smiled, but the inner child silently cried.It is difficult seeing the decline in health of your parents. It's my turn now to make sure she gets plenty of good care. Thank you so much for your lovely response.

Chris

[¿]

Twas all my good read from you...stay and keep well...and welcome😊

[Chris Shaw]

And you are always welcome here :))

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Christine... love your poem, “Tangle teaser”. I envision you as a child on tippy toes
trying to untangle your Mum’s hair... children are so caring at that age... so sympathetic.
They might even weave pigtails for your debut at an adult celebration. truly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Are you a Patricia or a Pat? You have the same name as my Mum. My granddaughter fiddles with my hair. Yes I have had plaits and all sorts lol. Thank you for reading and leaving a response to my Tangle Teaser poem.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Chris, you are so welcome. My Mum named me Patricia. I have been called Pat and Patti. My mother’s name was Edith Irene. I named my daughter “Edie” she named her daughter Madeline. Edie has always enjoyed styling Maddie’s hair. Maddie is in fifth grade and her brother Ethan is a freshman in high school. It must be lovely in the Ynited Kingdom with all the flowers. truly, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Lovely to hear about your family Pat. Madeline is also my Mum's second name. June is a beautiful month for flowers in the UK. My garden is blooming at the moment. making the most of glorious sunny weather.

[Patricia Wedel]

How seeet that your Mum is Patricia Madeline... my heart skipped a beat.
truly, Pat

[Gee]

Such a beautifully, heart tugging, sad, write, but uplifting at the same time. Guess it's the love that you have for your mum that pours from your words.
Good morning Christine, lovely snap :), hope all is well with you and yours.

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Gee. All ok here and hope all good with you and yours. My lovely mum, it breaks my heart to see her decline. Happens to us all though at some point. Combing my mum's hair like I did way back then, is good for both of us. Have a good week-end

Chris - thought it about time I showed my face!

[Lorry]

This is both beautiful and heartbreaking Christine. How the roles reverse in such a cruel, cruel way. I know all too well the little you being transported back to the days when we spent those precious learning years being built into what we become, with patience, love and understanding. We can only be left pondering where everything from between then and now went. When did the balance shift to you being the grown up, with all the worries childhood blinds us from.
Ps.....I would say im speechless, but you know, I do go on sometimes :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lorry. Yes, I was thinking much about the shifting of the balance of care when I wrote this poem. The role reversal isn't easy is it? My memory is very good and I still see my Mum as a vibrant light, such a positive source of energy and following an operation for cancer she is now a shell of her former self. The irony is that the cancer is gone, but so has much of her former self. Thank you for your visit. Your comments very welcome.

Chris

[Chris]

This has heart...and left a quiet smile in its wake.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Chris. She still loves having her hair combed. It is a comfort to me to know that I can do something which she gets enjoyment from ;)

[Stella Armour]

How heartbreaking and yet warming at the same time that you have such wonderful memories to keep.

If you tease the tangles from her hair she might well think of her little girl once more and cry inside just like you xx

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella xx