David When I read this I the felt the deep sorrow of unfulfilled promises and expectations, the gradual but unremitting grind that sucks the joy out of a life, and the bewilderment of finding yourself so far down a path that leads nowhere.
The first thought that came to mind when I was reading your reply was, it makes writing poetry worthwhile.
It's a perfect summary of what the poem was all about - mum's life. And how she must have felt.
I might be a man, but I've put a lot of thought into what motherhood is about. And I really wanted to capture things like 'the deep sorrow ... and ... gradual but unremitting grind that sucks the joy out of a life, and the bewliderment of finding yourself so far down a path that leads to nowhere' because that's just how mum must have felt all those years (And perhaps, how a lot of mothers feel at times). And it is a poem about her, meant to capture the nature of her life. And, to me, mum was a mother first and foremost.
So, your comment just says to me, I succeeded.
When I consider the events of the past week, there's something prophetic about having resurrected this poem from the dark recesses of my mind at the time I did. The original version was written around 1994. Ten computer crashes later, I just decided I would rewrite some of my favourite poems that had been lost in cyberspace, and this was one of them.
The sadness that was mum's life came to a good end. God sees things so differently to how many humans view life. He values motherhood so highly, He rewards it. He leaves the world to reward career women. And He will say to them when they meet Him at the moment of death, "You have had your reward."
Whereas, beautiful souls like mum, who cherished motherhood, will hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the kingdom that was prepared for you from all eternity."
It's a very sad time, but I have no fear for mum's soul. There she was today in the casket/coffin - as pretty as a bride, decked out and adorned for her true spouse, Our Lord.
I've seen a lot of dead bodies in my time, but I've never seen one look as peaceful and youthful as mum in death.
It wasn't a sad viewing at all. Looking at mum and how peaceful she looked, just remimded me of what one of the Saints said on his deathbed. "Away with your sadness. This is a joyous time. I'm going to be with my God and your God."
So, Darling, thank you for your comment. I love you truly, madly, deeply.
David
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this I the felt the deep sorrow of unfulfilled promises and expectations, the gradual but unremitting grind that sucks the joy out of a life, and the bewilderment of finding yourself so far down a path that leads nowhere.
Dear Teresa,
ReplyDeleteThe first thought that came to mind when I was reading your reply was, it makes writing poetry worthwhile.
It's a perfect summary of what the poem was all about - mum's life. And how she must have felt.
I might be a man, but I've put a lot of thought into what motherhood is about. And I really wanted to capture things like 'the deep sorrow ... and ... gradual but unremitting grind that sucks the joy out of a life, and the bewliderment of finding yourself so far down a path that leads to nowhere' because that's just how mum must have felt all those years (And perhaps, how a lot of mothers feel at times). And it is a poem about her, meant to capture the nature of her life. And, to me, mum was a mother first and foremost.
So, your comment just says to me, I succeeded.
When I consider the events of the past week, there's something prophetic about having resurrected this poem from the dark recesses of my mind at the time I did. The original version was written around 1994. Ten computer crashes later, I just decided I would rewrite some of my favourite poems that had been lost in cyberspace, and this was one of them.
The sadness that was mum's life came to a good end. God sees things so differently to how many humans view life. He values motherhood so highly, He rewards it. He leaves the world to reward career women. And He will say to them when they meet Him at the moment of death, "You have had your reward."
Whereas, beautiful souls like mum, who cherished motherhood, will hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the kingdom that was prepared for you from all eternity."
It's a very sad time, but I have no fear for mum's soul. There she was today in the casket/coffin - as pretty as a bride, decked out and adorned for her true spouse, Our Lord.
I've seen a lot of dead bodies in my time, but I've never seen one look as peaceful and youthful as mum in death.
It wasn't a sad viewing at all. Looking at mum and how peaceful she looked, just remimded me of what one of the Saints said on his deathbed. "Away with your sadness. This is a joyous time. I'm going to be with my God and your God."
So, Darling, thank you for your comment. I love you truly, madly, deeply.
David ... xxx
I love you, David.
ReplyDelete