Thinking of Mum

On Mother's day, thinking of her, neither here nor there in a nursing home 200 miles away

On Mother's Day far away

five counties to the west,

she rests in the same old chair.

I can barely bring myself to recall

her former glory, such is the pain

of her remaining days.

I will see her soon,

I'd give her the moon and stars

and every bluebell in my wood of dreams.

She means the world to me

even though her broken seams

stretch all the fibres of my being.

I love you Mum, always will,

curse this bitter pill that old age brings

I rage at its injustice, but love you more

for the soreness I feel at the core of me.

Reviews

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“I’d give her the moon and stars..and every bluebell in my wood of dreams”-so poignant and heartfelt Chris, as is your entire poem for your beloved mother. Beautiful metaphor, painful imagery and a deep lament for what once was-“her former glory”, yes I know this too my friend and you bring back memories of my own little “Mommy”. Tears and tears and tears ago. And sometimes angel dreams bring joy until wakening to loss, again. You lovingly honor your mother in all her frailty and strength. “Mother” is a sacred word. Thank you so much for this beautiful, very personal write. Xo

[Chris Shaw]

What a beautiful response you have left here for me Annette. I really feel for you and the loss you still experience for your own dear mommy. Of course you also will be thinking about her on special anniversaries. You take care now.

Chris

[Gee]

I've wished mum release into death many times over the years as to watch her continually suffer is heart breaking. The guilt when she recovers has lessened with each partial recovery as I know that sooner rather than later she will fall ill again.
So sad to read about your mum Chrisine but oh so relatable.
Hope all is well with you :))

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Gee. Sadly a relatable subject, that many people can find themselves in. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[zzzingbird]

love the fibre imagery combined with seams. it's a beautiful poem

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks zzzingbird. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[MCS]

Words that make the heart ache. Aging can be so unkind. Beautifully expressed as always.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks MCS for your thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Honest words shared dear Chris. I agree with the ending. Old age. Can't be stopped and we must accept. I hope you can your mother soon. I need to visit my mother too.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

I will be seeing her next week Coyote. Hope you see yours soon too. Many thanks for your thoughts.read moreI will be seeing her next week Coyote. Hope you see yours soon too. Many thanks for your thoughts.

Chris

[kentuck14]

A wonderful tribute to your mother. 3rd stanza, 3rd line . . . evocative . . .giving away something of yourself; that's love. 4th stanza, line 2 & 3 . . . Yes, love bears a thousand sorrows . . . great image here!
Final line . . . isn't it strange that the pain that comes from having a loved one suffer before us brings us even closer to that person. A selfish person would turn away, deflecting that pain. This reminds me of something St. Paul said in one of his letters . . . "I long to share in the sufferings of Christ . . . " Here is that same godly desire--- which can come only through love. Chris, congratulations.
Tom
This inspires me to post a poem I wrote about my mother's death some years ago.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Tom for your encouraging and detailed review. Please do post the poem about your Mother's death. I would like to read it. All good wishes.

Chris

[john l smith]

I may have mentioned it before, but watching my mother turn into a weird/ mad stranger as she deteriorated in agonizing inches was cruelty for all involved.
I appreciate your being so concerned

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. It's such a heartbreaking way for our parents to bow out. It is a cruel demise which plays havoc with the emotions. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

damn this got to me....i am filled with similar memories...those really tough last days when my mom had given in finally to the health (mental and physical) issues of old age.
it is a Bitter Pill for sure.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jacob. It's not a good place to be, but there isn't anything that we can change. Sad situation for all of us. Thanks for your understanding.

Chris

[barleygirl]

This one rips most people's hearts wide open. Wow! You are a master at keeping it simple & straightforward, trusting your message & authenticity to be the most powerful aspect to hit us over the head & break us down. I find it really hard to go to this particularly painful spot, so thank you for dragging me there & treating my heart so gently as I am carried by your words (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Margie for your thoughts on this poem. Not an easy one to write about.

Chris