As part of Kara's Mother's Day tribute, here is my contribution.
From a mom, to all moms, everywhere.
At the Toy Store
The manic rush and push to finish chores,
those errands (never ending); tempers stretch
to breaking, sun cooks afternoon too long
and mothers wait for meltdowns. Then a roar
and stomp of Frankenstein feet, all spitfire,
all gloried heat, but soon diminished, set
to right (such comfort found in mommy’s might).
The youngest only reach for spinning dust and laugh.
Us mothers watching mothers, share a nod,
a look and all is understood. Life changed
at first uncertain knowing – fanning dreams
and haunting visions, banning fears of old.
The question, “do I dare to eat a peach?” was moot.
For now, how do we bear to let them reach?
How do we loose young ones from safe embrace?
(And how not?) Our greatest fears and pride unfold.
And through the worst of tantrums, there is still
no sweeter sound than their cries, no fires
brighter than their eyes – our little dragons, all.
(Yet we more fierce to defend.) By them
we learned the truth: all joy is twinned with wings
of pain (and none more worth the love we’ve gained).
With every child birthed, double lives are found:
First the babe brought forth, then we ourselves are born.
- with love, the weirdgirl


WG ~ Holy shit balls lady. I'm so touched by that. Too many favorite lines, but this:
"With every child birthed, double lives are found:
First the babe brought forth, then we ourselves are born."
Finding myself indeed. Part of the journey and a very good part at that.
Posted by: motherhooduncensored | May 10, 2006 at 05:32 AM
yeah- what Kristen said about shit balls
and let me add my unbridled envy about your gift for poetry. THAT was amazing.
Posted by: kara | May 10, 2006 at 06:56 AM
Wow. I'm speechless. Amazing work!
Posted by: KC | May 10, 2006 at 07:44 AM
Oh wow, that was truly amazing. What a unique contribution for this project, too. Awesome!
Posted by: Kristen | May 10, 2006 at 08:57 AM
Thanks, you guys.
Posted by: the weirdgirl | May 10, 2006 at 10:47 AM
wow
Posted by: CroutonBoy | May 10, 2006 at 02:23 PM
I'm impressed. Very cool indeed WG.
Posted by: The Phoenix | May 10, 2006 at 02:48 PM
Motherhood in poetry - love it!
"...no sweeter sound than their cries, no fires brighter than their eyes – our little dragons, all."
Too true. Better a cry than none at all.
Posted by: Andie D. | May 10, 2006 at 07:40 PM
I knew you were transformed the first time you called yourself a mom, but it really is deeper than the names just states, eh? Great interpretation, mama.
Posted by: Jade | May 11, 2006 at 06:01 AM