Mother, Your Tears Were Never Meant For Me

An estranged child.

Mother dearest,
May you never fret
Over me, your first born
Who is furthest from you yet

 

Be cautious
Ne’er undo what worries
But, accrue those drops of love
For, of your oldest never were they meant

 

Save the locket heart
Hold back tepid tears
For another child of sooner moments
That they may be more wisely spent

 

When hearth is warm
Comfort further my adoring sibs
Hold them tight and oh, so close
As to feel your caring, of a lasting breath

 

Mine own love shall be as an offering
That is only made for them
As I make my way into the world
I'll find myself free from our regrets

 

Oh, mother dearest sweet

Your tears were never meant for me
But, if you must, think of son
Be it thus, in dreams when you rest

 

And, I will think of you, dear mother
Merely, when nothing else is left

Reviews

[Adrimira]

Michael, this piece is haunting yet beautiful. I hope this was not written from experience.

[Michael G. Smith]

Actually, this one of my most personal poems about my mother who suffered from mental problems. Thanks for reading.

[Matching Socks]

Very deep and emotional write my friend.
Well written.

[Michael G. Smith]

Thanks Ana. This probably my most personal poem.

[Matching Socks]

These ones are tough. I have a few but the meanings are buried...
You're braver than I am.

[Michael G. Smith]

I'm a person you says my mind and will put my vulnerabilities out there to toughen myself up. I had tragedies very early in my life as finding my mother dead at home after school and dad then dying the next year. I always believed life could never throw anything worse at me so I've kind of lost fear.

[Moniba]

Very deep. The explanation down there really helped. And if it's true, i'm sorry... but you've written it well.

[Michael G. Smith]

Thank you very much.

[s y e]

This took me to a whole other world. I could never imagine being estranged from my family. They mean the world to me, I love them to pieces. This is such a deep, emotional piece.

[Michael G. Smith]

The reference is to a mother who loved us but didn't not know how to affection after we grew out of our toddler years. She fed us, taught us, clothed us and introduced us to a culture world through art and books but never could say "I love you" or hug and hold or hands. She had her own problems and they got the best of her as she took her life when I was fifteen. The poem is saying its okay mother give all that you have to my much younger siblings.

[s y e]

I am sorry to hear that, Mikey.

[A. Amos]

And, I will think of you, dear mother
Merely, when nothing else is left

Last line took me into a different world of thoughts, what an amazing write

[Michael G. Smith]

Thank you, Although I had a great maternal mother she had a difficult time with affection toward us children past the toddler stage.

[Cassie]

Tears and more tears# this is such a sad poem. Thank you for sharing this one, I feel a mother's loneliness in this poem.

[Michael G. Smith]

Its more the son's loneliness from her rejection.

[rutherford]

Read this back to back with Mother's Womb. A powerful figure in all our lives. Strong expression of this emotion.

[Michael G. Smith]

This being so personal I really think I hit my stride on this one. Not having a mother makes words about her so more precious.

[Lydia Shutter]

What a gorgeous tribute to your mother. "Drops of love"...mother's shed plenty of tears in the name of love and unfortunately too many children do not realize how wonderful their mothers are till they are gone. The love you feel/felt for her is palpable....as if you wanted to protect and comfort her. Beautifully written. Lydi**

[Michael G. Smith]

I am one of those people. I found my mother dead at home after school and dad passed away the following year from cancer. It took many years to get over this, but it makes me appreciate mothers and father's since I've raised for children. They are all adults now and I'm raising grandchildren.

[Lydia Shutter]

I am sorry to read what you went through. So very sad. lydi**

[Michael G. Smith]

You make a choice to be a victim or use it to become stronger. I chose the latter.

[Lydia Shutter]

I agree with you...kudos!

[Onyia-Ali, Kingsley Chu..]

This poem should be dedicated to every mum indeed who care for their children. I appreciated the word usage, and the last three lines. Your words are straight to the point.Well written

[Michael G. Smith]

Thanks, Onyia. Please help me pronounce your name properly.

[Onyia-Ali, Kingsley Chukwuebuka Benson]

You are welcome indeed.

[SquinklaPsyOps]

The character in the poem is trying to comfort his mom and telling her not to worry about him because he is the oldest and has grown by her side and seen as she has played her perfect role as a mother to his brothers and sisters

Also he agrees how his mother supports, cares and loves his brothers and sisters, and says that his mother never has to worry about the perfect son she raised and when she is gone he has nothing to regret because he never gave her any problems that would make her cry and would keep supporting the good examples they would inherit.

The style in which the poem is written is magnificient and probably difficult to achieve by most ordinary persons.

[Michael G. Smith]

Well, my mother had a hard time showing love to us kids as we grew near to adults, so I am telling her not waste her efforts trying to love me, but give more energy to the ones she knows how to already love. I somewhat hurt by her emotional handicap will take the love I have that should be hers and use it also to love my siblings even more, ensuring a better outcome for their life. Thanks for putting such a fantastic effort into your review. This makes me feel honored.

[Michael G. Smith]

Squink- my writings are living poems. I am a perfectionist. Tomorrow I may see a better word or way to present my poem and will change it. This poem here has gone through several subtle rewrites.