Friday, May 9, 2014

Mother's Day

Painting, Mary Cassatt


"Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
"  -- Kahlil Gibran


This poem is for my children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, those who have flown, are testing their wings, and those still in the nest. I love you all. 



MOTHER'S DAY


Your breath on my cheek
My neck, cold when you leave

My arms, suddenly light,
Raised in thanks and praise.

I learn from the birds.

Relentless in their task,
They feed their young until at last --

I shade my eyes 
Against the endless sky

And watch you fly.

4 comments:

  1. Nice sentiment Karen. I am awaiting the arrival of my 2nd grandchild in July. #1 is a teenager I think due to limited exposure to certain bad elements in her life she has turned out OK , if you measure by GPA. I will try though to be more in tune with #2. TWM has to pass on his valuable knowledge of pompous language and swearing at random intervals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congratulations on the baby, Mark! I think there is nothing in the world better than a baby...such love and trust and possibility... when I'm old and senile, I've told my kids to just get me a rocking chair and a baby doll, and I'll be fine.

      Delete
  2. Sweet and gentle, hiding the effort, but I see it in both the holding and the letting go. Such Love! Thank you for posting at Poets United!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is spectacular....and oh, so true.

    ReplyDelete