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Rosemary J. Gwaltney
Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997
northern mountains, Idaho

0 posted 2000-05-13 11:07 PM


Nervous Breakdown


Oh mother
surely too sensitive from the womb
you must have been born sad. I see you now, standing
forever on a porch in the photo album, two years old in black and
white, seventy-six years ago; little solemn face framed in
soft dark ringlets.
~ ~ ~
When you surrendered,
a terrible loneliness imploded echoing
through your heart. There came an eclipse across your sun;
a quicksand in your mind where you drowned through the years
of my childhood
~ ~ ~
You succumbed to a secret horror within.
I felt you manacled by emptiness;
I knew you fettered with chains of hopelessness.
I strived to be the one you would stay alive for,
but I slipped, invisible through
your frail fingers.
~ ~ ~
Oh mother
I’m so sorry for the ice that froze your fire;
the fragility of your spirit;
the shadows that blocked out your smile.
~ ~ ~
Yet seeds were sown, and it’s taken
three decades of pulling weeds
to keep those poisonous plants from
growing in my own
garden.
~ ~ ~
< !signature-->

 The spiritual wind that holds survivors aloft, plants the seeds from which bloom new hope ... R.J.G.



[This message has been edited by Rosemary J. Gwaltney (edited 05-14-2000).]

© Copyright 2000 Rosemary J. Gwaltney - All Rights Reserved
Bunny
Junior Member
since 2000-05-13
Posts 30

1 posted 2000-05-13 11:25 PM


This is great writing!  It is really moving to read!  I hope to see more of your poems soon!
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

2 posted 2000-05-14 04:37 PM


Rosemary,
this is an exceptionally well written poem,
written in a unique style.
I know it must have been painful one to write. I remebered the things you shared with me on a reply to one of my poems(Born Depressed)
Unless someone grows up in this kind of enviroment it is hard to grasp the pain and scars left behind.
I know your poetry is your best therapy.
you "tend to garden" with excellence.
take care, jm

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

3 posted 2000-05-14 04:44 PM


Rosemary, you have moved me deeply with this--tears in my eyes and chills on my arms...

Heartbreaking.  And a bit of a warning to this depressed mom.  Thank you.

SpitFire
Member Elite
since 2000-04-19
Posts 2396

4 posted 2000-05-14 08:03 PM


~Rosemary,...Thank you for sharing this.  It took courage and I admire you for that,....you seem like a strong and beautiful person.  I love the way you write,...and look forward to posts from you. *Take care.
Rosemary J. Gwaltney
Senior Member
since 1999-08-26
Posts 997
northern mountains, Idaho
5 posted 2000-05-14 08:04 PM


Bunny - Thank you for your sweet reply.

Janet Marie - I know that you understand many of my deepest feelings.  Thank you for your dear comments.  I should mention that my dear mother did survive, and is still living.  Strangely enough, now that she is visiting my father in the nursing home every day, and absorbed in his needs, she appears more content, and peaceful in her faith, and less depressed than I have ever known her to be.

serenity - thank you too, for your understanding, and kind, thoughtful comments!
~ ~ ~


 The spiritual wind that holds survivors aloft, plants the seeds from which bloom new hope ... R.J.G.


Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
6 posted 2000-05-14 08:23 PM


Rosemary, my friend~
This is so very well written.
So very pleased that your mother is able to be lifted from the veil of depression in her time spent with your father.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
~*Marge*~


 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com


netswan
Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369
Washington
7 posted 2000-05-14 09:06 PM


Rosemary,
This is thoroughly touching --
so very well written ----

Thank you so much for sharing. I know
these kinds of poems are hard to write
without tears flowing.

netswan
And, Happy Mother's Day

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
8 posted 2000-05-14 09:44 PM


Rosemary, every line is exquisite and so powerful with your own wonderful way...Much love!
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