Constance La France Poet Haibun

Notes About The Poem

 

Behind My Frozen Smile

 "The love between a mother and daughter is like nothing
else in the world.  It has no rules, it dares all things and crushes all that
stand in its way, and cannot be destroyed, even by death."

                                                         Quote by _ Constance

The greatest performance of my life was at my Mother's funeral.  Inside, I was
shattered, broken and weeping.  But, I wanted to make my Mom proud, for she always taught me to be strong.  I placed a frozen smile on my face, and
hid my emotions as best I could, though a tear sometimes fell.  I stood by the coffin, the perfect daughter welcoming family and friends, our neighbours from every place we had ever lived.  Co-workers came from every job Mom had
ever had. People from the neighbourhood where she grew up.  I thought the
long line would never end, all day (a break for supper) and all evening.  This is what happens when you are a kind person, people never forget you, and Mom
was. I managed to keep my frozen smile in place.  Did people see through my
performance? Yes, I think they did for my eyes held a pain I could not hide. I would look at my Mom laying there so peaceful, unlike the suffering she had endured. She died too young, yes, I told the doctors, turn off the life support,
there was no cure, no coming back.  She was a person who embraced life 
every single day, always joyful even though in pain.  I will always and forever
admire her strength and bravery and how she lived her life, I am very proud ! 

a sweet country drive
                         dinner in an unknown place ~
                                         a song in our hearts

________________________________
May 13, 2022


Poetry/Haibun/Behind My Frozen Smile
Copyright Protected, ID 05-1455-356-13
All Rights Reserved, 2022, Constance La France


Written for the Standard contest, The Greatest Performance Of My Life
sponsor, JCB Brul, Judged 07/13/2022

First Place

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Ann Peck July 14, 2022 at 4:06 PM Such a sweet, loving story, Constance. It must have been very hard to keep that smile. It's so hard to let go. Congrats on your win! Constance La France July 14, 2022 at 7:47 PM Ann, thank you so much for the compliment, comment and congrats, blessings ~Constance

Paula Goldsmith July 13, 2022 at 9:04 AM Congratulations on your win. WOW!!! A lovely story/write/Quote/tribute for you Mother. Love this one. It shows how much the people loved your Mother. That is something to be very proud of. Now I need to wipe my tears. Have a great/blessed day writing away................. Constance La France July 13, 2022 at 1:26 PM Paula, thank you so much for the congratulations and the compliment, comment and compassion, it was a very hard day, blessings ~Constance

Howard Kerr July 13, 2022 at 7:03 AM Constance, Congratulations on your first place podium position with this magnificent piece. Howard Constance La France July 13, 2022 at 1:27 PM Howard, thank you so much for the congratulations and the compliment, blessings ~Constance

Christuraj Alex July 13, 2022 at 6:32 AM "when you are a kind person, people never forget you" - Indeed, a touching poem with a performance internally painful. Congratulations! Constance La France July 13, 2022 at 1:27 PM Christuraj, thank you so much for the comment, compliment and congratulations , blessings ~Constance

James Marshall Goff June 25, 2022 at 8:20 PM Very well written Constance, feels cathartic, a relief, great haibun! Constance La France June 26, 2022 at 6:16 AM James, thank you so much for visiting my poem and commenting, and for the compliment, all my poems about my mother, lost family and death and my sadness are cathartic but do they bring me relief, probably not because I write it over and over in different forms, in different ways, blessing ~Constance

Unseeking Seeker May 25, 2022 at 8:58 PM Powerful! Enjoyed every word of your poignant inner journey Constance La France May 26, 2022 at 8:06 AM Seeker, thank you so much for the compliment and compliment, blessings ~Constance

Gordon Mcconnell May 13, 2022 at 3:46 PM Such a beautiful piece penned so excellently well Constance, a really fine piece of writing, blessings always,Gordon Constance La France May 14, 2022 at 6:10 PM Gordon, thank you so much for the compliment on my poem, it means a lot to me, blessings ~Constance