“For the creator there is no poverty and no poor indifferent
place.”
Rainer Maria Rilke
Heart stone, deeply buried
within the memory of a child
who saw her mother heal
alongside that quiet Lake
and came alive joining me
in the wonder of it all
Her blue eyes
always so distant
as if chasing a dream
no one knew she had.
A dream of some far off place
where voices were kind and
came from the outside
easing the rage within her
Watching me swim-
still lingering on shore
anchored by doubt
The fear
she would be swept away
further than she had ever been.
Mother, stranger
lost in a tide I couldn’t see
only when she smiled
feeling so at home
did I witness
the transformation
seeing the child in her
connect as she held
my hand
quickly letting go
When home came into view.
It is a bit sad when mother and daughter are stranger, but it is a good thing when healing can happen! I like the idea of transformation when home comes into view.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard for a daughter I am sure to see the suffering in a parent. We rejoice with the persona when healing seems to be coming at the end of your poem.
ReplyDeleteI was trying to imagine the situation where the mother becomes a stranger to the child but is healed by the quiet lake ~ If this is correct, then nature is the best healer ~
ReplyDeleteGood to see you Lisa ~
"when home came into view"… somehow "home" or "him" made her feel trapped or something? This poem lets us ponder the possibilities.
ReplyDeleteoh that really tore at my heart strings...so tough when the mother in a way slips away mentally...
ReplyDeleteOh, you broke my heart! It is so sad how mental illness can distance two people who want to be close. I love the journey that allowed them to travel closer together, even if it seems that the distance came back at the end of the trip. Coming home isn't always a good thing. Wonderful poem.
ReplyDeleteA sad sad poem to read .. When someone close is always out travelling in her mind.. Just to return for the briefest moment...
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you connected if just for that bit. The beach can touch and heal. This poem was very touching.
ReplyDeletevery moving...though happiness is there in the brief moment of recognition...a different journey to a loved one, to come closer to each other...
ReplyDeleteNature is a healer, but what a difficult journey, with only sadness at its end. Heart-rending.
ReplyDeletejanet
I know this journey, of a child with a troubled and distant mother. I hope that girl has kept her wonder, and was wise and compassionate enough to see the hurt child in her mother. A poignant and beautiful write.
ReplyDeleteLisa--this just hit me in the gut--such a painful write
ReplyDeletei think that throughout life we will let our kids down...and they are usually pretty forgiving...and when they see us work through the hard places it allows them to believe as well that they will when their time comes...i always love to see restoration...
ReplyDeletehow are you lisa?
ReplyDeletelovely closing lines!
ReplyDelete