I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

14 May 2017

Mother's Day Haiku

hot tomato soup
brown bread broken into it –
mother’s comfort food

*

my pretty mother –
different from her 
I felt ugly

*


I was her first –
she told me, when I cried 
she cried too

*

did she know me
as her only daughter
that last day?


Written for the 'Mother's Day' prompt by Chevrefeuille at Carpe Diem. 

 Also linking to Poets United's Poetry Pantry #353




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26 comments:

  1. Sherry Blue Sky14 May 2017 at 12:08

    So moving, Rosemary. My mom made me milk with bread cubes and sugar.....sigh. my mom also was beautiful and I felt her dismay over my freckle faced plainness.

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  2. Sherry Blue Sky14 May 2017 at 12:09

    But the photo of you as a curly haired young one shows you were beautiful.

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade14 May 2017 at 12:49

      My dainty, slim, dark-haired mother was actually delighted to have plump, fair children (courtesy of my Dad). As an Anglo-Indian growing up in India, she had suffered from racism and was glad we would escape that.

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    2. Rosemary Nissen-Wade14 May 2017 at 12:52

      Oh, and the plumpness in those days was considered a sign of health and therefore good mothering.

      But I felt ugly anyway, as I thought she was SO beautiful and I so unlike.

      Delete
  3. Dr. Pearl Ketover Prilik (PKP)14 May 2017 at 13:41

    Ah Rosemary ... so absolutely beautiful ... brought healing tears... I am sure you were an absolutely delight and testament to your Mum's love and wonderful mothering. Impossible for you to be ugly in any way shape of form - except as you describe in your own desire to be a tintype of your delicate Mother... Your beauty both physical and spiritual continues to shine up until this very day as it shall beyond. <3 <3

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  4. Magical Mystical Teacher14 May 2017 at 22:59

    Last days are difficult. I feel sure that even if there is no outward recognition on the part of the one who is fading away, the soul still knows.

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  5. Jae Rose14 May 2017 at 23:11

    I love the tenderness in each verse and the sense of both love and vulnerability maybe when we feel safe they go hand in hand

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    Replies
    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade15 May 2017 at 08:04

      I look back with long hindsight, and compassion now for the mother I was often at odds with during her life. Despite our difficulties, I always knew that wherever she was I could find a home if I needed one. Perhaps that is the same as feeling safe.

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  6. annell415 May 2017 at 00:31

    Beautiful words on Mother's Day. Thank you Rosemary!

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  7. brudberg15 May 2017 at 01:30

    What a wonderful way to describe your relationship to your mother in those moments (from past to last)

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  8. indybev15 May 2017 at 02:31

    Sparsely worded, yet saying SO much. Beautiful and touching.

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  9. Sanaa Rizvi15 May 2017 at 03:20

    This is soo incredibly poignant, Rosemary!

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  10. Anonymous15 May 2017 at 06:24

    These have a delicate touch so befitting the day and relationship,

    Elizabeth

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  11. ZQ15 May 2017 at 06:33

    Whoa! Packed with intensity needed to be sorted.
    ZQ

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  12. Myrna R.15 May 2017 at 06:33

    I have trouble thinking that you could ever be anything but beautiful. Still, I understand your comparison and admiration for your mother. Enjoyed all these Rosemary. They are tender and sweet.

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  13. Rosemary Nissen-Wade15 May 2017 at 08:07

    We had a difficult relationship, being very different in personality and values as well as looks. But we loved each other too, and sometimes managed to find understanding.

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  14. Anonymous15 May 2017 at 08:16

    These haiku seemed to offer a wonderful canvas to espresso your feelings

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  15. Chèvrefeuille15 May 2017 at 08:39

    Very touching Rosemary. You have described your bond with your mother in a wonderful loving way. Thank you for sharing these emotions with us.

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  16. C.C.15 May 2017 at 10:02

    Poignant pieces of a love that has the power to forevermore imbue tomato soup with more emotion than could ever be served from a can!!

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  17. Thotpurge15 May 2017 at 10:34

    so good Rosemary..especially the second one...so nicely done.

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  18. Wendy Bourke15 May 2017 at 10:59

    Lovely and impactful. These are very emotive and touching. Beautifully written haiku.

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  19. Gillena Cox15 May 2017 at 20:11

    Luv your shades of mother/daughter relationship Rosemary. Our mothers most times are our first stars we want the hair the figure the red lips. We want to shine like them. Your haiku speaks volumes. Thanks for dropping by my Sunday Standard this week

    Much love...

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  20. humbird15 May 2017 at 22:15

    Very personal moments, and all connected by love. Thank you for sharing! Glad you are working with haiku group. :)

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  21. rallentanda16 May 2017 at 00:03

    Mother/daughter relationships have their moments but she she was always there for you and that is what counts.

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  22. hyperCRYPTICal17 May 2017 at 04:37

    I am sure you were beautiful Rosemary as you are beautiful now, that said, I really do understand.
    I always felt the 'unloved' child, brother and sis loved, but not me. Sharing our thoughts when we all adults, it became apparent that they had all felt they were the unloved one too. But none of us was - as children do, each of us felt vulnerable, but we were all certainly loved.
    Anna :o]

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