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* For Mom - more precious than winds or words could e'er carry. *

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dancing with mom -

when I was just a wee one
        my mom taught me to dance
            to start, I balanced on her toes
    but then steps more advanced

she showed me how to Fox Trot
        (I could cut a decent rug)
            also, waltzing and the Samba
    but we'd mostly ... jitterbug

oh, that was my mom's favorite
        that she always danced with Dad
            I'd seen them do it here-or-there
    (to perfection, I might add)

they had some mesmerizing moves
        and a chemistry quite rare
            a flow and rhythm, wondrous -
    like they truly danced on air!

my dad worked many hours then
        so to catch them was a treat
            swinging tight to big band Jazz
    with their twirling arms and feet

to watch them, smooth as butter
        made my efforts seem quite weak                       
            so when I could, I'd bother mom
    for some shine to my technique

I wasn't half as good as Dad
        still, 'twas special for us both
            so every chance, we'd jitterbug
    throughout my years of growth

when on my own, I'd often go
        and stay with them a while
            making time to dance with Mom
    cuz it always made her smile

oh, some might find it trivial
        but it bloomed in her with joy
            as it danced us back to mem'ries
    when she'd taught me as a boy

when MY wee ones came along
        I taught THEM how to dance
            so they can jitterbug now, too
    and shake and twirl and prance!

well, Mom's now in her nineties
        and her bones aren't very strong
            but the other night we danced again
    (tho' she didn't last for long)

we gently placed the self-same steps
        even turned a couple spins
            but it wasn't long before we quit
    for the strength had left her limbs

some teary sparkles lit her eyes
        and a smile adorned her face
            for tho' a bounce had left her step
    she'd danced her best with grace

we mightn't get the chance again
        world spinning fast, it is
            and Dad awaits hereafter, now
    that last sweet dance is his

but someday when I'm slowing
        and my seas of life grow calm
            I'll look ahead with joy, once more ...
    for the chance ... to dance ...

with Mom.   <3








~ 1st Place ~  in the "Mother" Poetry Contest, Constance La France, Judge & Sponsor.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Ligon Avatar
April 1, 2021 at 5:19 PM
Sounds like an amazing lady. Great that you carried on the tradition of dance with your own kids. Beautifully written, especially that last stanza.
Merryman Avatar
March 31, 2021 at 1:50 PM
What a delightful poem! It was so touching and brought tears to my eyes. I could visualize you and your mom dancing and it was just so sweet! Congrats on your win, Greg! Blessings, Kim M
Groen Avatar
March 31, 2021 at 12:07 PM
Thanks for reminding me to dance, its been a while, and at the end of your poem, I thought of my mom and felt a pang of emotion, but in a helping way. Thanks, Gregory, for the opportunity to read your work.
La France Avatar
March 31, 2021 at 8:04 AM
Greg, congratulations on your win in my Mother Challenge, it touched my heart, well done _Constance
Ray Choudhury Avatar
March 31, 2021 at 1:50 AM
Congratulations on your win. It is a lovely, precious and beautiful poem, a wonderful tribute to the mother-son relationship. What a bond! To my faves. Will read many times. Best wishes ~ Mala
Evans Avatar
March 30, 2021 at 9:36 AM
This is so so sweet. I love to dance and how I wish my sons would dance with me. Now, I have my grandson, who I meet in a gig and I teach him to waltz with me. You are so lucky having all the sweet memories dancing with your Mom. Such a beautiful, sweet poem.
Watt Avatar
August 13, 2020 at 9:55 AM
Greg, I'm glad you didn't cut out any lines, for this is precious and perfect. There is only one Mom in life, and you were blessed with a dazzling jewel of a mother. So glad you still have her to dote on and dance with and rekindle memories that I know are priceless for both of you. I know you know this, but: enjoy every single second with her that you can. And keep writing trophies like this for your mom (and your fans, like me). Warm regards ~ John
Gauthier Avatar
May 24, 2020 at 12:12 AM
Absolutely beautiful, Gregory. Love it.
Barden Avatar
May 24, 2020 at 2:29 AM
Thank you kindly, Line! <3
Fairchild Avatar
July 5, 2019 at 1:55 AM
My mom taught me to dance too, only the waltz, I couldn't learn anything more than that without practicing for hours, and hours, she didn't have. But this is sure a sweet remembrance. Glad you have her!
Barden Avatar
July 5, 2019 at 2:56 AM
Thank you for the kind comments, Andrew, it's so nice to hear your story of you and your mom and similar experience. Those are the true treasured things in life - those moments and memories ... we are blessed, my friend! :-)
Henry Avatar
July 4, 2019 at 12:59 AM
What a lovely sentiment so beautifully written. I enjoyed this and many other of your poems, Gregory!
Barden Avatar
July 4, 2019 at 9:22 AM
Thank you so very much, Mike, that's such a nice comment! Blessings to you, my friend! :o)
Lindley Avatar
June 28, 2019 at 3:00 PM
Truly love this gem. I too have several times written poems too long for contests and each time I too refused to cut a verse or even a single word. A poet's integrity, honor and dedication to purity in his/her work is an important part of honoring the Art we practice my great friend. A fav,, a gem too..
Barden Avatar
July 2, 2019 at 8:45 PM
(2) ... and especially when it's about such a special subject. Many thanks to you, Robert - you were one of the first here to acknowledge me, and will always be a special friend. Blessings! :o)
Barden Avatar
July 2, 2019 at 8:41 PM
Oh, Robert, My Good Friend, this comment means a lot to me, that someone else feels the same about such things ... contests are fun and I have learned SO much by pushing myself to enter them and attempt those new forms, but cutting or compromising a piece for the sake of it just seems wrong to me ...
Foster Avatar
June 27, 2019 at 10:41 PM
Beautiful poem. It was a pleasure to read. Ann
Barden Avatar
June 27, 2019 at 11:03 PM
Thank you very much, Ann, that's very kind ... blessings, my friend! :o) <3
Riabi Dziri Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 4:44 PM
So precious are your words on your Mum! So dear and sweet are the souvenirs! So touching are the flowing sentiments.. Very true, no words can meet the Beauty of a Mum.. Thank you so much, Gregory, for sharing a part of a tremendous Love.. sweet memories.. May God bless and protect your precious Mum.. I tremendously enjoyed the read. In my heart and fave list.. my deepest regards and blessings.
Barden Avatar
June 13, 2019 at 1:35 AM
This is such a sweet and heartfelt comment, Besma, and I thank you so, so much for taking the time to read my poem and leave such kind words - it is a poem in itself, and so very lovely! Many thanks to you, my friend, and sincere blessings to you and yours! :-) <3
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 1:52 AM
This poem is such a beautiful Mother's a Day gift Greg. It really moved me as I am sure it did her. It is one of your most endearing and best! This is going into my Faves! Your mother is lovely, if the photo is of you and she? I am glad you kept this poem as is! : ) xxoo
Barden Avatar
June 13, 2019 at 1:33 AM
Thank you so very much, Connie, I'm very pleased that you liked this one. I have not shown her yet as I want to have it framed and done in calligraphy, but I hope to soon. Yes, that is her and me in 1961 on Sebago Lake. I spent my first six years there as we lived on the lake year-round until I started school, then moved to the town my Dad's drug store was in about 45 minutes away ...
Barden Avatar
June 13, 2019 at 1:33 AM
(2) I so loved life on the lake, and I still miss it very much. That house is now owned by Boston Celtic's great Dave Cowens. My mom and I have always been close, and are best friends to this day. :-) <3
Watson Avatar
June 11, 2019 at 3:59 AM
Forget the contest, Greg! This beautiful poem is of much more value than virtual trophies. I hope you have shared at least some of the verses with your Mum ( I understand that the last two might be too emotional). These are such precious memories which I'm so glad you have shared with us. Best wishes Wendy
Barden Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 10:08 PM
This is very sweet, Wendy, and I thank you heartily for taking the time to read and comment! I am certainly going to share this with Mom soon, and hope to get it done in calligraphy so I can put it in a frame and present it to her. Blessings, Dear Poet! :-) <3
Romios Avatar
June 11, 2019 at 3:07 AM
Gregory! I find this utterly touching and so lovely. A FAV. This should be a POTD without question. One of the best I have ever read at the Soup..EVER! You are an inspiration for me. Panagiota Romios
Barden Avatar
June 12, 2019 at 10:05 PM
Oh, what a marvelous comment, with such heartfelt and sweet sentiment ... this means a lot to me, Panagiota, and I thank you most dearly, my friend - blessings to you and yours! :-) <3
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