MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS

MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS

My Mother and Me:
We haven't spoken in months
Forgive her. Reclaim your
Stunted childhood

My first memory:
"Do mommies know everything?"
She sobbed in response

I stood on the couch
Holding her as she cried into
Her coffee cup

We were eye to eye,
I was three. In that moment
I became Vessel

She told me stories every day:
Sorrows endured by
Such A Sad Girl

She schooled me in men's
Selfish treachery, shredding
Women's tender souls

She taught me coping
Skills for dealing with men who
Crushed and abused us

And in time I chose
The men who couldn't love me,
Proving Mommy right

Love co-mingled with
Hate, I left each selfish man
Before he left me,

My history reckoned
With Mommy's victimhood,
Martyred just like her.

Where are we now?
She waits for death. I wait for love
Sainted, both of us

I never stopped craving
Infantile fantasies:
Someone to love me

I long to be a
Child again
Innocently Asking the question:

"Do mommies know everything?"
She holds me this time,
And wisdom unfolds

MY DAUGHTERS

Inherited Traits:
My daughters split
The rough gem that I was,
Each perfecting her facet

Sabrina, the Artist:
Knowing blue eyes,
Graceful as a pink petal,
She draws upon nature

Chelsea, the Musician:
Bursting with music,
Her heart fills each room
With exuberant beauty

Single Mother:
My intention was
Pure and supporting love,
I failed to give enough

Scraping By:
Covert poverty,
My daughters' paths blocked by
Translucent obstacles

Empty Nest:
My daughters travel
Roads I cannot see. I miss
Knowing everything

I AM DAUGHTER

Prodigal Daughter:
Seeking freedom,
I traveled away toward sunlight, but
Home-clouds followed

Going Home Again:
I never said goodbye
Perhaps that's where my saga
Begins and ends