What think you of the 'Mother and Daughter' poem?

Question

What woman, with pain coursing through her labouring body,

Inhaled and exhaled in horror...knowing that death was closer than

The Priest?

What mother remembered the knife that gave her infant daughter

Life...

Then cursed her daughter-ravaged body...cursed her blood.

Mother. Mother, was this woman you?

Mother. Mother, rosary-seeking your way to God.

I can excuse. I can forget...but,

Mother, why have you never forgiven me?

What pale, exhausted mother, free of me unnaturally,

Birthed me in the morning light, only to punish me in later years for

Staying under the Sun?

What Heaven-bound mother knelt long years in pews,

Praying for me...what gratification was revealed to her

In the sight of God, haloed in thorns...His Cross

Suspended in silent darkness?

She is old. Her clouds are dimming. Her time to laugh is

Quickly finishing.

We never laughed together.

We never laughed.

Lord...I do not ask to be forgiven. I do not think that You should, but

If You see...and see to care... if You are really there, then hear:

Through my fault, through my most grievous fault...I have tried.

But I have lost the way to go home.

I am afraid.

Lord...I am not worthy to begin that journey again.

Must I sin to be forgiven? Christ, I cannot forgive.

Must I be wronged before I can pardon? Lord, I cannot forget.

I do not ask to be forgiven.

I do not think that You should...perhaps a time may come.

But, if You are there...and understand,

All I ask is a place in the Sun.

The Sun is behind me.

My Mother stands in my shadow.

She is a large part of my darkness.

Once...I was part of hers.

Answer 1

I can relate to this In so many ways. My Mother died In Jan 08.

She was 94. I was the last of 7 kids. She never showed me any love or compassion. She lived In a Nursing Home the last 9 yrs of her life. For the past 6 yrs I worked at that home to make sure she had everything she needed. The proper meds,food,excersice etc. I would feed her and take her on walks. All I know Is that I was with her when she died and now I miss her.

Answer 2

This puts "Dolly" in a new perspective. Nonetheless, I can only repeat what I said in a former response: we have no Time Machine. I also needed to learn to live in the present moment and for the future. It avails us nothing to reiterate the past.

Sometimes, that "place in the sun" is too crowded for us. Although the past is always with us, we sometimes must find another place.

This poem is poignant, touching all women who have or who have had a mother and/or a daughter.

Answer 3

This was hard to take, my mother was the Jewish version of yours. In order for me to become my own parent, I found it necessary to forgive her, and to understand that I had no need to be forgiven. I came to understand that she did the best she could, although that wasn't very good.

When I began reading this poem it seemed excessive, melodramatic. By the time I was half-way through it seemed to be a dispassionate recapitulation. Except for "I am not worthy" I think that reveals a low opinion of God. It has the appearance of humility, but is actually unwarranted pride. Do you think that you are a sinner of major- league status? In the World Series of sinfulness, I doubt that you could get to first base unless you were hit by the pitch.

Answer 4

I've wiped away my tears,

Emotions I've let go,

Your Poem, was truly Beautiful.

Just thought I'd let you know!

Thankyou for a Trip down Memory lane!

Answer 5

A Powerful Piece for sure ..I'm not really sure- What to say .....Need a hug ??....I do

Answer 6

Makes me want to hold you close, and say nothing.  Just let you feel that someone does care, and can feel with you.  My strength can be yours as well.

Huggles n Squeezles.

Answer 7

I'm speechless.   ((HUGS AND KISSES))

Answer 8

This is frighteningly powerful, so heart rending and intimate.  I am one who still lives under the shadow of "my mother" but I can understand this poem completely, as she, too, is "a large part of my darkness".  This passionate poem completely overwhelmes me. Thank you.

Answer 9

I understand...comprehend even.....

but it leaves me so sad.....

knowing that you had such a mean mother......

As in life..in death..she still haunts you...

You've made Snidely cry...

I feel for you, I know your pain.......

Answer 10

I don't usually read poems but this one caught my eye.  Very serious and sad.  Good job.

Answer 11

Powerful and sad.  Yes, it makes sense to the reference to Dolly.  I hope this poem in some small way was cathartic for you when penned.  This...is a poem.

Answer 12

I have no words, just tears, my sister.

Answer 13

This is very, very sad, and hopefully not based on fact.

Now I must go find the Dolly poem you mention....

Answer 14

it's raw, honest and open. cathartic? nerve-hitting...yep