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Memories MAG
December 17, 2008
And I remember she wouldn’t wake up.
Her lips were mushed together in a
Horrible shade of red
They buried my mother in a white dress
And red lips.
And she couldn’t see.
Where are your glasses, Mommy?
And still at sixteen I bring them to my face
And peer through the distorted murky lenses
To see what she saw
Maybe one day …
And I remember it hitting me
Like it does every day
When I hear them all talk and complain about their
“Horrible” mothers
What’s it like to have a mother
I’d give anything to know,
Or at least for them to know how lucky they are.
They know.
And I remember she wouldn’t sit up
And I dreamed of a stuffing machine because
Someone whispered by my ear she was
Cut in half and stuffed
And it made no sense
And still at sixteen I wonder
What happened to my mother?
And I remember her faintly
She doesn’t even smile in my dreams anymore
And I wonder if she’ll ever be proud of me
If she’d ever approve of me
And who I’ve become
The things I’ve seen
The things I’ve done
And I remember her singing
Though I can’t hear her voice
The only happy Christmas I hold on to
Every year
Maybe one day it’ll come back
I used to think
Maybe one day she’d come back
And still at sixteen I hope
Maybe one day she’ll come back …
And I remember she wouldn’t wake up
Not even to say good-bye.
© Trent M., Centerville, IA
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This article has 840 comments.
very_literary SILVER said...
on Nov. 4 2009 at 4:50 pm
This poem was absolutely amazing. I am lucky enough to still have a loving, caring mother to whom I am super close and I cannot imagine going through a single day without her because we always talk and all of my secrets lie with her. This poem pretty much moved me to tears. Could you please read my poem. It's in free verse poetry and it's called I See about the Jim Crow South.
upsidedownpineapple said...
on Nov. 4 2009 at 3:15 pm
this really hit me, i almost cried. my mom also died and i barely remember her
SunshineGurl+MARK said...
on Nov. 4 2009 at 1:07 pm
Im sorry about your mom ! Great poem...I never met my mom so I kinda know how you feel ,a little but I will never know how it feels for yo u :(
dark_roses14 PLATINUM said...
on Nov. 4 2009 at 10:39 am
there arnt ever words to describe wat you feel exactly, but good job on the tone and mood of the poem......im srry for your loss.....
Writedancelove&live GOLD said...
on Nov. 3 2009 at 11:50 pm
I'm crying right now. That was so amazing. Awesome work! Please keep more coming. And, if you could check out some of my stuff.
I love this poem, it reminds me so much of what i want to write but i could never get the words out, i wonder too if my father would of approved of me, if he knew of everything, if he was still alive too. hey, check out my work called 9 Years Ago. if you would. im sorry for you loss.
C@D@ME3 said...
on Oct. 13 2009 at 6:26 pm
Hey i am sorry you lost your mother and I'm sorry that u feel like your mother isn't proud of u. I'm pretty sure where ever your mom is that she is proud of your poem. Congrats.
OreosandSaltines BRONZE said...
on Oct. 13 2009 at 5:41 pm
Ohh im sorry for your lost beautiful poem .I see what you mean no I regret all that AI say !good job keep writting.
AbbotRabbit GOLD said...
on Oct. 13 2009 at 2:53 pm
This is a great poem, thats the kind of poetry that every one can relate to and every one can have compassion towards, I love this poem and it is one of the greatest I have ever read. Keep it up and you will go far!!
:]
:]
SilverAngel SILVER said...
on Oct. 13 2009 at 10:40 am
No words can describe the wave of emotions I just felt. Amazing. Your mother is proud of you!
FlyleafFreak DIAMOND said...
on Oct. 13 2009 at 8:54 am
I....I don't know what to say. This is one of the best poems I've ever read. Remember, she's still there and she still loves you. :)
Hugs-N-Kisses GOLD said...
on Sep. 21 2009 at 6:36 pm
you don't know what you've got until its gone...
jmc.13 said...
on Sep. 21 2009 at 5:34 pm
God, this whole dispute is stupid. Ignore whatever imbosol put down this beautiful creation.
And Jyom Alderman, get a life.
And Jyom Alderman, get a life.
jmc.13 said...
on Sep. 21 2009 at 5:31 pm
A superb and touching poem. You encompassed so many feelings of loss, heartache, anguish, sorrow, and frustration with a surprising and painful accuracy. Fantastic. Poignant. Brilliant. I think that says it all.
wordweaver96 PLATINUM said...
on Sep. 21 2009 at 5:18 pm
um....I wish I could say something but scotchtapedreams said it all!
IsobelFree DIAMOND said...
on Sep. 21 2009 at 4:20 pm
This is the kind of thing that makes me realize just how disrespectful today's youth is. Jyom, don't you understand just how tender and emotional this poem is? How it's obviously about the author losing her mother, and how sad it is? I can't believe how insensitive some people are. AmbRawr, I loved the poem. Eloquent and beautiful. You're a great writer, and don't listen to anyone who says you aren't.
scotchtapedreams said...
on Sep. 21 2009 at 3:28 pm
You know what makes this such a wonderful poem? Look at all the comments -- everyone has something else to say. There are people who feel they can relate because their mothers have died, fathers have died, maternal figures have died, fathers have been removed from their lives even while still alive... And the people who haven't had similar experiences -- they were able to feel the pain through your insight. Everyone interpreted it in a different way, but you got the pain across so beautifully. Wow, kudos to you! This was a stunning piece, so wonderfully portraying the emotions.
I like that you went back and forth between the child's feelings and the emotions you have "all grown up." There's that maturity but the same innocence: Even though in your head you know the facts that a sixteen-year-old understands, your heart -- the part of you that still clings to the child -- still hopes that "maybe one day she'll come back." Excellently written. Again, kudos.
I like that you went back and forth between the child's feelings and the emotions you have "all grown up." There's that maturity but the same innocence: Even though in your head you know the facts that a sixteen-year-old understands, your heart -- the part of you that still clings to the child -- still hopes that "maybe one day she'll come back." Excellently written. Again, kudos.
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