An Ode To My Mother

When passion seemed to elude me,

You allowed me to forge my own way.

When obstacles showed to stifle me,

You helped me find resilience in a better day.

My journey has not been simple,

However with your guiding hand I’ve been able to find-

My passion, my purpose, my point of view

And your simplistic piece of mind. 

There is not enough room on this piece of paper,

Months in the year, or ink in this pen,

To fully describe how much you mean to me,

Not just as my mother, but as my friend.

You have given me so much more,

Just by being you,

Than any advice on how to be a strong woman,

Or verbal insight could do. 

You are the greatest lesson I’ve ever learned,

The most salient force shaping whoI am.

You make life into the happiness you deserve.

You are my inspiration.

Everything I love about me,

All of the traits that I’m proud are mine,

Are merely borrowed facets of who you are,

That I developed innately over time. 

I love that I’m well mannered- that I’m sincerely kind to strangers- that I have the conviction to do what’s right, even if no one is looking. I love that people feel comforted by me- that I take joy in making people’s day- that I do not hate, or judge, any group of people. 

What I love most about me

Is everything I’ve learned from you. 

You are the lead in my pencil

You are the passion behind my words

You are the sarcasm in my humor

You are the kindness in my soul.

You are the sincerity in my thank you’s

You are the compassion within my heart

You are the resilience I channel during hard times

You are the honesty in my self-reflections.

You are the hope I have for my future

You are the trust I have in love

You are the warmth I give when I hug others

You are the confidence I have in who I am. 

Thank you for never giving up when you were young

For not allowing obstacles to break your spirit

For never allowing your past to define you

Taking your slate and choosing to clear it. 

Let these words resonate within you

Wrap around you like a warm embrace

Hear them whisper “Nan, I’m proud of you”

As they wipe the past’s tears from your face.

I am so proud to be your daughter...I am so thankful that you are my Mom... You are the most important teacher I have ever had and the impact of what I’ve gained from you is reflected in every component of my character... You are my role model... You’ve taught that being a kind and decent person matters most... You’ve taught me to take each hardship I face and turn it into a means of greater appreciating the blessings I do have... You do not allow circumstances or setbacks define your future...You are the definition of perseverance... You are the strongest woman I know... I am in awe of your resilience... I am so proud of the life you have created for yourself.

Author's Note

This was written for my Mom for her birthday....obviously deeply personal, but would love to hear feedback.

Reviews

[Diwakar - "The Warrior ..]

Mother........a God residing on earth..........Very beautiful poem :-)

[Ink Angel]

I really love, all the emotion you have put in to this, such precious word, If you were to put this into a competition, I think it would be the bold words An Ode to my Mother. I love the flow of this bit. Thank you :)

[obeytheimaginary]

Nice