One Mother’s Stone
She holds a stone against her heart,
her rock in wild weather,
as a storm whirls and swirls
in the shadow of her mind,
sinking into her stomach,
settling into a soft swelling.
She breathes deeply to sweep away
the sensations she feels
as her child suffers.
She utters that the world
spits out the slow
not made for this show
of efficient, proficient achievers,
filling the masters’ pockets faster.
That’s not fair to say,
but hey, doesn’t every flower
deserve to bloom,
even if it is just for one day?
She feels this weight,
consults the stone,
and puts it down to rest,
moving lightly through this world,
wishing she could give him, her eyes,
to see magic through silvery mist.
But all she can do is sit aside
his slow-moving river,
invested with toxins,
sprinkling some sunshine
plucked from her heart,
hoping yes, always hoping
that one day she can
throw this stone away.
This is so evocative!
ReplyDeleteMothers – so well-versed in endurance!
ReplyDeleteBeing a mother and grandmother, your poem really spoke to me, Marja. I like the way the stone represents her child, pain and strength. I especially love the lines:
ReplyDelete‘She feels this weight
she consults the stone
and puts it down to rest’.
This is heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteThe nuances of this poem are fascinating. Great write!
ReplyDeleteThe watching helplessness of a mother is like no other when her child suffers, all the while hoping to sprinkle a little fairy dust of optimism into that deep well.
ReplyDeleteSo many quotable lines, Marja... quotable because of their relatability and depth of feelings. The hurt at not always been able to keep up with the demands (and speed) of the world is palpable. I hope, for her (and for the rest of us), that we "can throw this stone away."
ReplyDeleteBravo for the strenght if a mother's heart
ReplyDeleteHappy Sunday
Much💖love
A loving mother is a wonderful thing to have when the world rejects you for not fitting into a particular mold. I know more than one mother who has dedicated themselves to try to make a change in the world so their little ones can move more easily in it.
ReplyDeleteHi Marja - not being a mother ... but I can empathise more so as I've got old when I look back. Your poem is very powerful ... take care - Hilary
ReplyDeleteThis went straight to my mother's heart. I can't choose a favorite line to share because it would be the entire poem.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a palpable write--the loving mother always carries a heavy burden.
ReplyDeleteEvery flower does deserve to bloom - yes!
ReplyDeleteYes, she got it right. the world is for the achievers, not for the slow ones.
ReplyDeleteBut even a stone deserves to be cared for, even a one-day flower deserves to bloom.
Great poem, Marja!