Mothers Letter

When I saw this painting I was moved to write a poem about it. This is my revised version. Free Verse poetry.

 

 Mother's Letter

     Eyes are dry, now …

     where soft teardrops fell,

     lie faded pools of smeared purple ink.

     Reading her letter again,

     I held the coarse paper tightly 

     between delicate hands.

     The baby kicks, as if it knows,

     and I read on....

     Birth of your first born …

     so close to my heart,

     brings memories of you, my child,

     running wildly through fields of

     poppies and dandelions.

     Your hair, the colored hues

     in sun’s end of day.

     Alone, I lie here remembering …

     watching birds by the window.

     They beckoned me follow;

   “I am not ready to leave,”

     sighing in a whisper.

   “Bring me apples to peel;

     for, my hands are idle.”

     There is no one to hear,

     my mind wanders to you --

     the distance is great.

     As time disappears …

     your child grows,

     and as you watch the fields

     change from yellow to gold,

   "Think of me and remember,

     I have you in my heart … always.”

                            ~~~

    

                 

Author's Note

Any comments are appreciated.
Thank you for dropping by.
Lisa

Reviews

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my goodness ... this brings tears to my heart .. it is so sweetly sad .. wonderful tribute to not just your Ma but to all those who love with a very Divine gift of a Mother's love .. those who received and do receive it are blessed .. your poem inspires gratitude in me for my Ma ... thank you for sharing! really enjoy the imaging and it is super emotive ...
E.

[Lisasview]

Hi there,
I see you are the featured review, although you are the last to read my poem...so far..Must mean that the site likes your review..and so do I...
I loved your wonderful review..and I am so glad it inspired gratitude.. I am amazed that my poem had such an impact... and I am honoured..
Thank you for reading and reviewing my work'I appreciate it,
Lisa, getting last here in Spain

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Tremendous writing... it's both sophisticated and reachable. Layered, and emotional. Thank you for leading me to this piece. Looking forward to reading more of your work.

[Lisasview]

Good morning Travis,
I could have sworn I left you a thank you for your wonderful review... but alas, I see I did not.. I think I wrote it but forgot to press send.. Ah well, better late than never. Saying tremendous is so appreciated.This was only the second poem I ever posted here or anywhere and I am thrilled to read the response. It was an emotional write to say the least. I used a line my mother said to me a few years before she passed away.. "Bring me apples to peel; for, my hands are idle." Those lines are always with me..
Anyway, thank you again...
Lisa, early here in Spain

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

She left you with a gem of a line that you've given wonderful life.

[Lisasview]

Yes, she was amazing with the many things she said to me throughout my life… and, the best thing is that remember them.
My father also said so many wonderful things.
Miss them both so much

[lightsong]

One of the most emotional, sincere and moving poems about Mother I have ever came across and had the pleasure to read. one of your finest pieces dear Lisa. a truly outstanding piece of words and emotions. You should be really proud of this one my dear.

“Bring me apples to peel;
for, my hands are idle.”

sometimes, one line is capable enough to tug our hearts to the deepest and tenderest parts. warm tears will flow, those two lines particularity have that power...

[Lisasview]

Good morning my dear, long distance friend,
How did I miss saying thank you to you wonderful and inspiring review??? I thought I had because? I remember reading your beautiful words...but I see I did no leave a thank you..so I am sorry.
I am so happy that you see, that the two lines I chose, and, which actually are words my mother said to me, were capable enough to tug at your heart...
Your review clearly sees the true meaning of my poem and I so appreciate it.
To say it is outstanding gives me goose bumps...To say it is one of my finest pieces means so much to me.
Lisa, early morning with fog..very unusual for here...

[lightsong]

Good evening dear sweet Lisa, almost 7 pm here... sitting to rest after some working and my bath, and I might drink a small cup of coffee later. You are really a lovely person, I am happy that You are a part of us here. Each words I've said You deserve and owned it my dear. may your heart keep smiling and creating through your "unusual" fog there, the weather is unusual all around the world :>

Sending You soft wishes and warm hugs❤️

[Lisasview]

Thank you so much...
Long day taking care of the garden, etc...so no writing...hopefully, I will be back to writing soon.
Now have a glass of red wine and waiting the the baked sweet potato and chard for chard for dinner..

[lightsong]

That sounds/tastes deliciously wonderful! enjoy your time my dear.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“and as you watch the fields
change from yellow to gold,
"Think of me and remember,
I have you in my heart … always.”
Lisa, your wistful words, classical painting, imagery and sadness in the missing of a child here are palpable and palpable and deeply moving. Evocative and stunning write.

[Lisasview]

Wow, thank you for your very kind words.. really means a lot to me..
Lisa. now in the afternoon in Spain

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You’re very welcome.

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Lisa… Mothers are as Warm and Caring as Apple Pie with the scent of Cunnamon and Nutmeg. Mothers are Nourishing and Wise
Amen… Pat

[Lisasview]

Funny I responded to you lovely words last night but on my iPhone and for some reason my thank you is not showing up here? Yes Mothers are like tea and honey. jam and bread, chocolates...and wine (oh, that is when we are older...) My mother said many use things to me.
Lisa, afternoon here in Spain

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lisa… my Mother died at age 58 from Cancer of the Liver . Before she could no longer speak.. she told me to “always be a Lady”… and so I try to Honor her Wishes. tenderly, Pat

[Lisasview]

Good morning dear Pat,
To lose your mother at such a young age..both she and you... is terrible..
She sounded like a wise lady..
Lisa, 7am in Spain

[Patricia Wedel]

Most of us could write a Book about our Mothers. With all her Talents she excelled in Nutrition and how it benefits your Body. Bon Appetite. Pat

[Lisasview]

Mine too and we so often shared notes..
Lisa

[Red Brick Keshner]

Is this a Vermeer? I liked the connection suggested by a mom's letter being read by a pregnant daughter, there is a strong emotional point with gooey sentimentality; of 3 generations communing in thought and heart. And the tugging to and fro of not wanting to leave and passing on what one has received. This is a beautiful poem. Thanks for sharing, Lisa. /Frederick.

[Lisasview]

Good morning,
I just finished leaving you a review and came back to see you had left me a lovely review. Yes, Vermeer..one of my all time favourite artist. The art was so inspiring and from it my poem emerged. I have not used art as inspiration except in this poem..but I probably will agin.. Thank you so much for your positive review..
Lisa, now in Spain

[Red Brick Keshner]

I studied a bit of Vermeer on a work trip to N.Z., tucked away in an attic room why only a skylight and a rather small lamp. To that effect, the owner/host had hung up a print of the Girl with the Pearl Earring, as if to signify to the guest that there was a real reason why the lighting was the way it was. Since then I have seen the Colin Firth/Scarlett Johanssen flick but still prefer to visit the museum and carry a tome around in my reverie. LOL. And now, this painting and this poem weave a whole new artwork in the reader's consciousness. Yes, do again marry art with your poetry. I cannot sufficiently express how it feeds the soul and enriches our humanity. /Frederick.

[Robert Haigh]

A beautifully expressed emotional poem, full of warmth and love! You interpreted the scene in the painting with inspiration, and wove a totally believable narrative in poetic style! Well penned indeed!

[Lisasview]

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing ... I so appreciate it.
Lisa, 7am in Spain

[Cherrie Palmer]

Oh this is a Hallmark moment indeed. Bitter sweet words for a aging mother.
Near the end of my grandma's life she looked at me in shock and said your a granny too.
It was so sweet.
I have several poems and stories that sprang to life because of some art; that seemed to be telling me a story.
Truly lovely work.

[Lisasview]

Good morning Cherrie, When reading a review that was left for me yesterday I came across your lovely review and realised that I had not sent a thank you!
Please forgive my tardiness... and thank you so much for reading and reviewing my work... Wonderful that your grandma said this to you and that the memories has stayed with you...precious moments..kept in memories..
Lisa, now 7am in Spain

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved and I understood the poem dear Lisa.
"As time disappears and your child grows
and you watch the fields change from yellow to gold
think of me and remember I have you in my heart always."
I have five grandchildren now and they keep me young in heart. You allowed the reader to come with you to wonderful places, we must keep in our mind and our heart. Thank you for sharing the wonderful poetry.
Coyote

[Lisasview]

Thank you for taking the time to read my poem..
I used the painting as inspiration and made a decision as to what was happening in the painting.. I loved doing that!!
So happy to know you enjoyed it..

[Coyote Poetry]

You did well dear Lisa and you are welcome.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Lisa, I can tell by your writing you love poetry. I see a lot of myself - my struggles - mirrored in your poem. My tendency is to describe, which is the job of prose. Poetry should be about showing comparisons that others either do not see or have never see in that light. Poetry lives in that shadowed area between wakefulness and sleep, half-dream and half-imagination. We want to create sensations - my personal goal with each (serious attempt) I make is to be able to look back at my work 6 months later and be able to say, I'm glad I read that.

Another bit of advice, somewhat mysterious so don't take it like Amelia Bedelia who always took things said as literal. So here goes: try to end your poems about 2 lines before they're finished.

Leave something for reader to dwell on and think about and feel. If you write to the point you're reached, The End, you've gone too far. That's for prose.

PS. We thought about expatriating to Italy but my wife is on the Cherokee register so she gets free healthcare here that cannot be duplicated there.
Best,

[Lisasview]

Thank you for your comments.. I will ponder your review..to see if your suggestions work for me. Have you read my Sonnet?
LIsa