If ever I am mother I’ll be patient
fun and full of life.
I’ll cherish every moment and kiss
away the strife.
We’ll stay awake for hours and
laugh at all the rain
make forts in our pajamas and
get down and play with trains.
…
When the little dears grow up
I know I’ll be more at peace –
not wringing hands at everything and
gritting all my teeth.
If only they would listen,
hold my hand and cross the road
with a cool and calm demeanour.
This is far more than I supposed
would test me in my principles
and rouse in me my rage
I thought this was meant to be my time
and motherhood my stage.
…
If I could have back those moments
to do it all again
I’d slow down and take a pause
I’d avoid my need to bend
their emerging wills to fit with
my overarching plans
I’d smile and say
‘I love you’ more and kiss
their dimpled hands.
…
I’ve only got this time around
to get the balance right
Please help me to realise that
and utilise Your sight.
Disclaimer: If ever there was a poem that just poured out of me it was this one. I have no idea whether it was written in five minutes because I was too consumed with typing the words as fast as they were coming to me!
As well as being inspired by National Poetry Day, this is a double link up with #Write31Days and Five Minute Friday. Today’s prompt is ‘test’.
For more information on 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes, check out Christina Hubbard’s site!
19 comments
Emma, this is sheer genius. I stand in awe at the depth and grace of your words, and know that your children are blessed indeed to have you as a mother.
#2 at FMF this week.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/10/your-dying-spouse-216-lethal-legacy-fmf.html
The selfish part of me wishes I could take credit, Andrew, but this one in particular felt a lot more like I was just a conduit 🙂 Thank you so much for your generous words though – that means so much!
This is SO my heart and since I don’t write poetry, I sure am glad you penned it for me! Wow!
To all mothers everywhere 🙂 It is definitely something I need to remind myself of over and over! (and you never know, you could have poetry hidden in your heart somewhere? I only started writing after I joined the FMF community this year!)
Oh and really loving your new site by the way – looks so great!
This is everything motherhood has been for me too. A constant reminder to be present. Happy #nationalpoetryday!
Hooray! What a day to celebrate 🙂 and yes – presence is so key in motherhood… and in finding a happy and meaningful life anywhere, really!
Beautifully written! Such an awesome and accurate picture of motherhood. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Pleasure, Heidi 🙂 I really hope I can get through to the ‘next stage’ without too many regrets…. writing is so powerful in reorienting my perspective!
So incredibly beautiful. I’m over in the 12 spot this week.
Thanks Tara, looking forward to reading your post 🙂
Oh My Stars! This is amazing!!! So powerful and I love that you wrote a poem for Five Minute Friday on National Poetry Day! Just Wow! Great job, my friend!
How great is poetry? Love any excuse to write it, really!
Achingly beautiful.
Thanks so much, Patricia 🙂
Beautiful. I love the reminder to stop, set aside my own plans, and kiss their sweet hands. Thank you for this perfect reminder.
I know I’ll need to re-read this to myself each morning so that I can figure this balance thing out! I’m not usually great at deviating from my own plans 🙁
Wow, wow, wow! Emma, this was brilliant. So accurate, so passionate. I loved it!
Please make it into a graphic, or a greeting card, or something.
I’d love to hang it somewhere.
Have a great weekend!
That’s a cool idea – I had never thought of that! I’ll see what I can come up with – might be a fun, creative challenge 🙂