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Open Poetry #43
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serenity blaze
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since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738


0 posted 2008-12-04 06:06 PM


"What does your mother do all day?"

I wait, deflating, wondering
how my daughter would reply
as I sit, considering
that I hadn't stopped to think
perhaps I am an oddity
my kids would have to reconcile
in comparison to those
whom I welcome in my home.

Did they count my cigarettes?
I do now--embarrassment,
that I am so incorrect
maintaining habits better left
to decades I try to forget
with glasses of merlot.

I do the stuff that no one sees.
I wash the dishes, cook the beans--
a huge stock pot of that to feed
these people who are questioning
what it is I do all day.

I feed the dogs. I fetch the mail.
I pull in the garbage pails.
I try to keep the pantry stocked.
I shake my head and pair their socks
wondering where the others went
and exile single socks as if
the other will miraculous
come bail their mates out of sock jail.

I play on the internet.
Making snowflakes, making friends
fighting off the loneliness
with poems and "remember when"
I used to be so different--
a life without them, emptiness....

I have forgotten how to live.
Or perhaps, I never did
know how to be the star of this
play, that scares me, motionless.

I'm doing better
or so I thought
I sleep at night
and I can walk
down the street and to the store
but I forget what I went for,
so I make lots of lists.

I strained to hear what she would say--
What does your mother do all day?

"She does what she can" she hissed,
"and when she writes, she's genius."

I hang my head and cry.


© Copyright 2008 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved
SpheresOvIce
New Member
since 2008-12-04
Posts 7

1 posted 2008-12-04 06:09 PM


Lovely conclusion here. Keep up the good work.

Check out my poem, "Reflection Against A Pond" and let me know what you think.

Ray

Ray,
A name, yet who is Ray?

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
2 posted 2008-12-04 06:29 PM


Dear Karen, you kept me so captivated with this fantastic reality write! Can't we all in some way relate!

Poignant to the point of making me cry with you ...

Love and hugs.
Margherita

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
3 posted 2008-12-04 06:32 PM


Oh, Karen.This is so.........I don't have the words but I understand it so well.
                            Ida

inkedgoddess
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392
Ohio
4 posted 2008-12-04 07:11 PM


Its never done ..mothers work when you are home.. I tell him I do silent cleaning that he wouldnt even know about,
Like straigheting that cupboard out so you dont bang you stupid head on your beercans/
I relate

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
5 posted 2008-12-04 09:39 PM


My dear one, You have written M O T H E R so well. No one knows what we do it seems.I had a friend who would leave the ironing board out on days she felt she would hear that question and another day the vaccuumn. Because the house was always put together so well no one would even think she had anything to do..Love ya, "late"
steavenr
Member Elite
since 2003-11-17
Posts 4058

6 posted 2008-12-04 09:47 PM


this is really good...a write that not only warms your heart, but tells a great story and leaves a great life lesson along the way...really, thank you for sharing
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
7 posted 2008-12-04 09:51 PM


She gave the right answer.when you write, you ARE genius...
1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace
8 posted 2008-12-04 10:06 PM


"and when she writes, she's genius."
amen

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

9 posted 2008-12-04 10:18 PM


She's the one to watch...

she has the talent, and discipline.

And yanno...the fact that she defended me makes me proud, but breaks my heart.

Thanks you guys for keeping me company tonight.

(Sometimes I just do what I want.)

Well.

There's towels in the dryer, but still...




SEA
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Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 2000-01-18
Posts 22676
with you
10 posted 2008-12-05 09:48 AM




I KNOW how busy you are!! and God yes, you are a genius when you write

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
11 posted 2008-12-05 10:34 AM


What a mother does all day is stand by for when our children need us.  

you are no exception.

love you.

"too bad ignorance isn't painful"
~Unknown~

1slick_lady
Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088
standing on a shadow's lace
12 posted 2008-12-05 10:35 AM


and what do you do?
everything

suthern
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Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
13 posted 2008-12-05 10:57 AM


genius, indeed!!!

So many things fill our hours only to have to be done again tomorrow... but lady, when you write, you're reaching into the future, leaving no doubt... you MATTER!!!

And with this... you make us appreciate not only you, but all the mothers and others who do so much that goes unnoticed. Superb!

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

14 posted 2008-12-05 12:19 PM


I used to think that me and my husband were oddities because we're, well, oddities.

But as I got to know these kids, we're also weird because we are married--to each other.

And nobody else's mom stayed home.

They smell food cooking when they walk in the house!

Our electricity was never turned off and we have a pretty cool cable package.

No wonder they are always here.



I am the last of a dying breed apparently.

And I'm so tired I don't think I wanna know what's next.

Thanks to all you Moms out there, especially the working moms who have two jobs--three if they are still married.

and much love to my own Mom.

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
15 posted 2008-12-05 07:01 PM


Touching...very touching...James
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
16 posted 2008-12-05 07:36 PM


Hugging you, Karen, for the love of reading your words.  
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
17 posted 2008-12-06 01:03 AM


What you left out in the list of things you said you do all day is being Karen to everyone you know and their/our lives would be so much poorer, if you didn't.  (Thank you so much for that.)

I am so glad that you and your children have each other.  You and they are a well-deserved gift to each other.  And what a brilliant and delightfully true reply your daughter gave!

- Owl

Mark Bohannan
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269
In the winds of Cherokee song
18 posted 2008-12-06 11:01 AM


"She does what she can" she hissed,
"and when she writes, she's genius."

I hang my head and cry.
-------------------------------------------

Genius ... absolutely ... but I do understand where that last line can come from.  You always dip you pen in the ink of inner self and scroll in "honest - like it or not" words.  That is one of the things that makes you so special.  ( Note - I did say "one" of the things.)

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
19 posted 2008-12-06 11:09 AM


"I am the last of a dying breed apparently."

except for having my own children~~ I am with you, Karen...and the thing is, believe me when I say we are more appreciated by  others than what they can or know how to show.

"tired" as I join everyone else in giving you a hug


M

by the way, I have learned over the last few years that there is no longer or maybe never has been such a thing  as  "normal"... but I think we are abnormally normal as can be

vandana
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Member Patricius
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463
USA
20 posted 2008-12-06 07:19 PM


good read
LindsayP
Member Elite
since 2007-07-28
Posts 3410
Australia, Victoria
21 posted 2008-12-07 10:00 PM



Dear Karen, that is truly a very good poem that tells the story of so many mums in the world today and so often not appreciated.
Take a bow my dear, you wrote it well. love

Lindsay

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

22 posted 2008-12-07 10:39 PM


*smile*

Maybe they will give me a watch.



I'll figure it out, until then, know and trust I love you all.

Callista
Member
since 2008-10-05
Posts 63
USA
23 posted 2008-12-07 10:39 PM


"I have forgotten how to live.
Or perhaps, I never did
know how to be the star of this
play, that scares me, motionless."

I am in awe of this stanza.

"The Moving Finger writes, and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line.."

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
24 posted 2008-12-08 02:49 PM


If I were your daughter,
I would hiss first
that you are genius...
and you bless the world
with your writings.



Have missed you, sweetie...

Wahine hugs!




Marge Tindal
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since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
25 posted 2008-12-08 08:20 PM


Ya'KnowKaren~

I never thought I'd cry at -
I shake my head and pair their socks
wondering where the others went
and exile single socks as if
the other will miraculously
come bail their mates out of sock jail.'


YOU are writing MY thoughts !!!!!!!
You KNOW you are writing MY thoughts ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Love and lots of the best of me to you~
*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email -               noles1@totcon.com

Mysteria
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since 2001-03-07
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British Columbia, Canada
26 posted 2008-12-08 11:54 PM


Genius is right!  A very lovable, wonderful, genius.
Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
27 posted 2008-12-09 12:04 PM


Karen, this may sound trite, but it's true ~ "Thanks for sharing" ~ you with us!

You're a writer through and through and that is one of the great things that defines you!

Bewitching One, you wear many hats! ~ and they all look good on you!

Love 'n a big warm hug,
Linda

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
28 posted 2008-12-09 02:40 AM


AND I just want to repeat every thing all the others wrote. You are a one and only so I'd say yes, you are a genius. "late"
GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
29 posted 2008-12-09 03:37 AM


Genius? Of course, we all know that. But what I love is that you are so much more than your genius words. I'm sure of it. Love this.

~alyssa

Hupomeno.

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant
since 2000-01-29
Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia
30 posted 2008-12-09 07:04 AM


My sweet friend Karen.. this is beautiful!!
thank you for sharing you gifting with us..

love RDB xxxxx

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

Dark Star
Member
since 2008-02-20
Posts 392
Lost in your eyes
31 posted 2008-12-09 04:27 PM


I liked this k
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

32 posted 2008-12-09 09:31 PM


You all are too kind.

(and Marge? smile...I'm not in charge of the dials, but oh it's good to see your signature comic sans reply. Get better soon, k?)

Love to all.

Vestibular Bard
Member
since 2008-12-11
Posts 284
New York
33 posted 2008-12-11 09:41 PM


"I'm doing better
or so I thought
I sleep at night
and I can walk
down the street and to the store
but I forget what I went for,
so I make lots of lists."


Lots of geniuses make lists...or so I'm told...
I enjoyed the naked, powerful imagery

Paul Wilson
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Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
34 posted 2008-12-12 05:59 PM


Karen...So tell be again what it is you do all day, I forgot. When it comes to writting you are definately a genius and one of a kind anytime...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

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