A poem from the Cradle exhibit, for Mother's Day

[susheli]

I wanted to share this poem here today, for it feels especially meaningful on this day. It was written with a mother participating in my upcoming "I Gave You Words / Field of Cradles" exhibit, and is posted on the boards with her permission.

I am a mother
though you are
not here
with me
anymore
I am your mother
I carried your life
in my womb
your father and I
knew you
your kicks
the sound of your heart
your body
luminous
through the dark
of each sonogram

[kerisue]

That's beautiful Susheli. Please thank the author for letting you share it with us.

Here's something I wrote this morning. It's not necessarily a poem, since I know nothing about how to write one, but I thought I'd share anyway. The "I" part reflects mothers who have lost a baby who lived after birth for a time. The "you" part reflects a mom whose baby was born still.

Mothers of Incredible Strength
I was a mother once.
For 25 days my little one struggled to maintain life against incredible odds, but some battles are just too big for one tiny girl to win.
She is not here, not in my arms, not growing, and smiling, and learning. So am I still a mother?
I say yes. In fact I am a mother of particular strength for I have had to do things that no mother should ever have to do.
I sat by her bedside day after day, though I could not hold her nor do anything to ease her struggle.
I practiced mercy on my dying child by discontinuing life support. Even as every instinct in my body screamed, “live, baby, live!”
I held her in my arms as she took her last breath, as her heart beat its last beat.
I let go of this child, this beautiful girl who was supposed to be with me until my own death.

Are you a mother? You, who nurtured a baby within your body only to be told that baby had died before he could be born?
Yes, you are a mother too.
You, who went through the agony of child birth to deliver a baby who had already died.
You, who suffered through painfully full breasts, engorged by milk that would never feed anyone.
You, who supported your sister, your cousin, your friends through their pregnancies and births even though your own arms are so achingly empty. Even though their joy sometimes amplifies your own loss.

Wouldn’t all that break anyone no matter how strong?
We endure anyway, you and I, because we are mothers of incredible strength.

[wrennie]

Happy mothers day everyone, sending you all big big hugs!!!!!!!

[holly3372@msn.com]

Kerisue,that was poetry...beautiful just beautiful thank you

[rosemary]

Keri...that's absolutely beautiful. Thinking of you today...(((HUGS))).

[susheli]

Dear kerisue,

Your poem is so very beautiful, it is poetry and it says so much in only a few lines. Thank you for sharing with us.

I have always noticed your posts for your kindness and ability to put into words even the most difficult emotions. I am also touched each time I see the beautiful picture of you holding your little Millie. I will be thinking of you, and her, over the next weeks.

Susannah

[m]

Kerisue, thank you for sharing.

[flori]

I love both of the poems. I cried deeply as I read both. Thank you for sharing.

[teresatolman]

I loved both of those so much! Thanks for sharing them....my heart really needed to hear them.

[Ty]

These poems are great! Please consider posting in the "Writing Heals" section!

Thanks!
Ty