Elizabeth Akin Stelling’s poem Waiting appeared here in August. She always gets the crowd laughing when she reads live, but what she gives us here is powerful and haunting.
A Mother’s Heart Speaks Volumes
By Elizabeth Akin Stelling
Early morning hours bring
my daughter, again
to my bedside
complaining of sleeplessness
Her heart
once again
SHOUTING discomfort
Hours of her
in my bed, crying
tossing in, tossing out the racing moments
I am naked, helpless
her fragile body
begging me to make it stop
I offer prayer, soft arms
a tangible mom against the shadow
Fourteen this woman child
more beautiful than could have hoped to be
She–my youth incarnate–
my blissful fantasies
How can her diseased heart
escape its chamber,
beating on its walls
SHOUTING …
Tears collapse onto her shoulders
before sleep can steal a soft reprieve
Moments, months, hope, now fear …
I do not see her older
I will not share her first kiss
I will never hold my grandchildren
I will only share what she has told me in company with that secret smile
Her laugh now stilled
is heard by all who knew her
Her pain opened my eyes
set flight to my selfish anxiety
Early morning hours deliver
Ane’s memory to my bedside
Now my weary heart escapes its chamber,
beating on its walls
SHOUTING … for all that it misses
This memorable, bittersweet poem is telling me to cherish my children….. right now.
This is one of the best poems I’ve read. Heart wrenching.
A beautiful, powerful poem. I particularly love the line “a tangible mom against the shadow”.
Powerful, indeed. Thank you for sharing this tender moving poem.