Maternal Love

The Oaks Residential Home, visiting my aunt

Lily sits in a high back chair
her vacant eyes stare into limbo
soft music plays in the background
her ears do not hear the notes
she has a pink scarf at her throat
hiding her wrinkled skin
on her chest her baby rests
snuggled in a shawl
a mother’s tenderness
can’t be mistaken
her thin fingers caress that child
with delicate slow movement
over and over again
and no one can prise that doll
from her even though
the lunch bell rings

Reviews

[Beccy]

Touching a deep chord here. My Charlie is now eighteen, but the memory of holding his beautiful fragility in my arms has never faded, and never will.

Beccy.

[Kanwal]

Mothers are the best gifts given to us. The unconditional love they hold for their children is just priceless. Lots of love and prayer for every mother in the world.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for stopping by and leaving a warm review. Your words very much appreciated.
read moreMany thanks for stopping by and leaving a warm review. Your words very much appreciated.

Chris

[kudakwashe J Ziunye]

Mothers are pillars of humanity.All heavy burdens or life greatly rests upon their shoulders.Through your poem you remind man of what.we often forget..A mothers tenderness cannt be mistaken indeed...Great writting.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for your appreciation of my words. Pleased you stopped by. All the best.

Chris

[Martiya Daman]

This poem beautifully captures the poignant moment of a motherly tenderness that transcends reality and time. Lily's unwavering bond with the doll symbolizes an enduring love that is unbroken by age, circumstance, or even the world around her. The delicate descriptions—her vacant stare, the soft music unheard, and her thin fingers—paint a vivid image of both fragility and resilience.

The poem subtly evokes themes of memory, loss, and attachment, leaving readers with a tender ache for Lily's world. The last lines about the lunch bell add a quiet yet powerful emphasis on her unyielding connection to the child she holds dear. It’s deeply moving and delicately written, Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much for the in depth review you have left me. Delighted you have stopped by to read my work.

Chris

[red93]

Extremely moving Chris, with sympathy for 'Lily', but also a sense that she clings to her humanity even now. Exceptional ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Tony for your encouragement. So much appreciated.

Chris

[Laz K.]

it seems that living just for oneself is no life at all, unless there's someone or something to care for. that's how we are built.

i liked this poem. it gets to the point fast, and has a sort of matter-of-fact tone combined with deep compassion that is there in the spaces between the lines from start to finish.

[Chris Shaw]

An exercise in observation. What a lot you can learn. Many thanks Laz. All the best.

Chris

[MCS]

I've missed your beautiful words. This is both sad and tender.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you kindly MCS. It is so good to find you here with such uplifting words.

Chris

[MCS]

Chris, I'm glad to be back.

[Einstein Noodle]

beautifully said, Chris ... the tragedy overcome by this mother in her everlasting remembrances of her child ... so serene and helps family to see something poetic in loss of so many other things .. well done .. your poem blesses my heart dear friend
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mr E for your lovely comment. When I visit my 92 year old aunt in a residential home for sufferers of dementia, there is much to observe. Some moments can be very touching. Hope all is good with you and I send greetings to you for Christmas, not far away now.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

back at ya Chris! lots of stuff on Face Book about bringing Jesus back into Christmas .. it occurred to me ... He never has left ;)

[Chris Shaw]

How right you are :)

[Stella Armour]

Aww , how lovely for her to be so caring of her "baby".
Truly heartwarming Chris ..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Stella. It was a most touching moment to see. I hope all is well in your world 🌹