Baby Birds

You told me
when I nearly died
how weird it felt
to feed me
how agape I waited
mouth open wide
for the next spoonful
like I did as a baby

Hungry little bird

You told me
when you were dying
you didn't see me till
days after I was born
years of guilt
that we did not bond 
unwed teenage moms
in those days
unconsidered 

Hungry little birds

You told me
when I was dying
for your approval
that I was not pretty enough
not strong enough
ridiculed me
insulted me
cut me off

Hungry little bird

I told you
when you were dying
when you asked me
why
that it was all ok
that we just were who we were
and that I loved you
that it's    ok
mom it's ok

Hungry little bird

A decade since
you passed away
I live with 
echoes of your words
and only now
I realize 
that for your love
I will always be

Your hungry baby bird


17.03.19
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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12
Gauthier Avatar
April 22, 2020 at 4:48 PM
OMG ~ what a poignant love story and so well penned. How touching.
May Avatar
February 17, 2019 at 1:08 PM
That is beautiful Maureen and emotional Congratulations on your placement in the contest!!!
Pigeon Tart Avatar
February 17, 2019 at 3:37 PM
Thank you Bobby! :) xomo
Agustin Avatar
February 13, 2019 at 8:22 PM
Congrats! Thanks for sharing your talent. God bless you.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
February 17, 2019 at 3:36 PM
Thank you Beata :) xomo <3
Craig Avatar
February 13, 2019 at 3:07 PM
Maureen, How emotional this poem is bring tears! Congratulations.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
February 17, 2019 at 3:35 PM
Thank you Michael :) xomo
Dutta Avatar
February 13, 2019 at 11:43 AM
Simply Excellent. Congrats to win. Love
Pigeon Tart Avatar
February 17, 2019 at 3:34 PM
Thank you Anisha :) xomo <3
Awtry Avatar
February 12, 2019 at 6:08 PM
All that others have said! Just beautiful! This is a fave for me.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
February 13, 2019 at 8:18 AM
Wow, thank you P.S. :))) xomo!
Wolf Avatar
February 12, 2019 at 4:56 PM
Wow! Awesome write, Maureen. Many congrats on your top-drawer/drewer placement in this contest, which featured so many amazing poems. Way to go, my friend! :) gw
Pigeon Tart Avatar
February 13, 2019 at 8:16 AM
Thank you Gershon <3 This one was probably the most cathartic for me~ I owe this place for nurturing my muse to be able to heal. xomo
Hopkins-Drewer Avatar
February 12, 2019 at 3:32 PM
Heart rendering Maureen. Well deserving of a top three spot.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
February 13, 2019 at 8:09 AM
Thank you so much Cecelia! For the opportunity to dust this one off, and for my wonderful placement. xomo
Barden Avatar
April 14, 2018 at 12:04 AM
Yup, I lost it ... this got to me, big-time, and is so heartfelt and sad, my friend. There are few bonds that can compare or cut as deep, and my heart bleeds for you, my friend, as I am going through this, (as you know), and will be going through more not long from now. This is just gorgeous, and profoundly touching. Faving for sure. Love you, Friend. <3
Pigeon Tart Avatar
April 14, 2018 at 6:37 AM
Damn, I couldn't just read your comment but had to reread and relive, sniff. Humour aside, thank you my dear friend. I am here for you <3
Leiser Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 1:05 PM
This is so touching and beautifully written, Maureen! Congrats on your win :)
Roper Avatar
April 10, 2017 at 8:51 PM
Great imigary, Maureen, congratulations on your win :-)
Pigeon Tart Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 10:48 AM
Thank you Eve :) xomo!
White Avatar
April 10, 2017 at 1:57 PM
Very beautiful, so tender and loving, so very special.... a 7...Congratulations :) Ton petit Piroet.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
April 11, 2017 at 10:47 AM
Thank you sweet Piroet xomo hugs your way!
Scars Avatar
April 10, 2017 at 8:04 AM
I always say this but I feel that if you don't open with a stunning line it makes the rest of the poem less interesting. The first stanza caught my eye right away and I couldn't wait to read the rest of the poem. great one...thank you and congrats :)-luloo
Pigeon Tart Avatar
April 10, 2017 at 8:56 AM
Thank you Laura Loo! I am honoured ;) Have a wonderful day xomo
Pathak Avatar
March 24, 2017 at 5:55 AM
Very touching indeed! One of the best I read. Thank you for visiting my poem.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 24, 2017 at 6:54 AM
Wow Aniruddha, honoured, thank you so much. Bless xomo
Hoffman Avatar
March 23, 2017 at 8:28 AM
An excellent heart tugging write Mo~Very touching! G/L in the contest~Che :)
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 23, 2017 at 8:37 AM
Thank you Cheryl! What contest? Should this be entered in something? ;) xomo!
Thompson Avatar
March 23, 2017 at 7:18 AM
This is an amazing poem Maureen. It is very moving and touched my heart. You did a wonderful job here.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 23, 2017 at 8:13 AM
Wow, thank you so much Michael. Honoured. Bless xomo
Dupins Avatar
March 22, 2017 at 8:16 PM
This is a very moving poem. I absolutely love the repetition "Hungry little bird." Great poem Mo!
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 22, 2017 at 9:42 PM
Thank you dear poet; this write moved a ton of weight off my own soul, the power of a good metaphor. Did I mention happy spring? :) xomo
Coreggia Avatar
March 21, 2017 at 8:03 AM
Maureen, your poem moved me to tears. I'm glad you felt some healing in writing it. As you so wisely said, it may be difficult "to recognize the pain as pain after holding it in such a stoic embrace for so long" . . . but your pain, as a long time companion, gently touched almost every line you wrote in this beautiful poem:) Amitiés
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 21, 2017 at 8:41 AM
thank You Anne-Marie, your kind words a hug :) xomo
Ball Avatar
March 20, 2017 at 7:33 PM
I think all of us have memories of rejection when we were little. Mistakes our parents made that they hoped we would not remember but which left their marks on our hearts and our personalities. We have to remember that they were not anymore perfect than we are and we make mistakes too. Sometimes serious ones that we hope will not be remembered. Great write here Maureen. God Bless and a big 7 from me. JB
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 20, 2017 at 8:10 PM
Indeed. My mother did a good job when I was little, she tried and did succeed in giving me a good foundation. I understood where she came from and always did see through her words. She didn't know who her best friends were. Thank you again Judy. Hugs xomo
Beaufort Avatar
March 20, 2017 at 7:18 PM
You are one of the sweet poets here. The things that happen to us are painful to think about. How difficult it is to put the hurt in a useful place. I have a lot of trouble getting myself out of the cycling pain that keeps coming back for another run.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 20, 2017 at 8:55 PM
Thank you Duke :) indeed. I find it difficult to recognize the pain as pain after holding it in such a stoic embrace for so long. I suppose it's all about stepping off that ride...
Schwartz Avatar
March 20, 2017 at 4:08 PM
I know very little about poetry but I know feelings and I could feel your emotion through my hole self Thank you for that write..
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 20, 2017 at 5:18 PM
Moving comment Glen, thank you, I am honoured. mo
Rodrigues Avatar
March 20, 2017 at 12:28 PM
A beautiful write!
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 20, 2017 at 5:18 PM
thank You dear :) xomo
Ricci Avatar
March 20, 2017 at 10:30 AM
Hello Maureen. Only the Free Verse format could pull off such an entry and thought. Please allow me to let your expressive and emotional words stand. You have expressed yourself wonderfully and with power. You incorporation of Hungry Little Bird was was excellent. Well done throughout.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 20, 2017 at 11:51 AM
Thank you so much Lisa for your kind and generous words. The hungry little bird metaphor took flight to rather unexpected heights; this was an exceedingly healing write. I really appreciate your visits and feedback. Happy Spring! xomo
Bauer Avatar
March 19, 2017 at 8:40 PM
very moving, maureen! i love the way you've constructed this poem, too...
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 19, 2017 at 9:36 PM
Thank you Ilene, bless & happy spring! xomo
B. Avatar
March 19, 2017 at 1:36 PM
This really tugs at the heart!!
Pigeon Tart Avatar
March 19, 2017 at 1:47 PM
;) yes, writing it was a most dehydrating experience xomo!
12
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