Hairpins

mother’s hairpins wait
patiently 
in worn, loose clumps
for her to pick through and use
over and over, night after night

it seems to be the same
she, by the bathroom counter
day after day
twirling her fine, grey hair
around thin, frail fingers 

and so expertly done, too
without a thought
her dim eyes stare
into a dim mirror that reflects
her lined, aging face
once young and beautiful

she creates curls
as she stands
alone











2/23/2022

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 4/10/2022 9:01:00 PM
Laura, your words add such dignity to this commonplace act. I love your personifying the hairpins as they await the predictable movements of your mother. It may be an ordinary daily ritual, but you have introduced a philosophical pondering of aging, beauty, and loneliness. Love what you did here! Blessings ~ John
Login to Reply
Leiser Avatar
Laura Leiser
Date: 4/10/2022 9:22:00 PM
Thanks for reading this simple free verse, John. I want to develop my free verse into something meaningful, as we discussed at church. Looking forward to more of your insights, and thanks again for your encouragement! :)
Date: 3/6/2022 11:54:00 AM
wow, you painted a picture that we can so easily imagine!! I love this. It's my idea of FINE free verse.
Login to Reply
Leiser Avatar
Laura Leiser
Date: 3/6/2022 4:19:00 PM
Thanks so much, Andrea! I’m happy you liked this one! :)
Date: 3/5/2022 11:51:00 PM
Hi Laura....the image of your mother you have painted is so life like. I see her standing before the mirror and it reflecting her aged but graceful face !
Login to Reply
Leiser Avatar
Laura Leiser
Date: 3/6/2022 4:18:00 PM
Thank you, Valsa! So happy you liked this! :)
Date: 3/1/2022 11:43:00 PM
Excellent job a painting a picture of habit, Laura. I could remember my mother in her old age doing the same. Hugs, Bill
Login to Reply
Leiser Avatar
Laura Leiser
Date: 3/3/2022 3:39:00 PM
Thank you, Bill! So happy you liked this one! :)
Date: 2/25/2022 11:58:00 AM
Like knitting your mom does her hair without thought from years of practice.
Login to Reply
Leiser Avatar
Laura Leiser
Date: 2/25/2022 3:24:00 PM
Thank you, Kim! She has practiced this to perfection. Lol! :)
Date: 2/25/2022 8:39:00 AM
wow, I would so love to see a painting with these words dear Laura, stunning , simply stunning :)
Login to Reply
Leiser Avatar
Laura Leiser
Date: 2/25/2022 3:23:00 PM
Thank you, Vie! Your praise means a lot to me! :)
Date: 2/25/2022 2:41:00 AM
If only someone could tell so much taking as small as a word like hairpins, it's you!! Just loved the hidden philosophy!
Login to Reply
Leiser Avatar
Laura Leiser
Date: 2/25/2022 3:22:00 PM
Thank you, Swetha! Happy you liked this! :)
Date: 2/24/2022 11:07:00 AM
But at least she is still with you! Aloha!
Login to Reply
Leiser Avatar
Laura Leiser
Date: 2/24/2022 11:17:00 AM
Yes, though she lives far way. Thanks for commenting, Rico. :)
Date: 2/23/2022 6:47:00 PM
Yes...stand alone...in the end we must all do this, before our God, and he will say: "Silly, you were never alone." Profound write!
Login to Reply
Leiser Avatar
Laura Leiser
Date: 2/23/2022 7:17:00 PM
That’s very true, Joe. Mom has great faith, and loves the Lord. Interesting that you extrapolated a spiritual dimension from the ending. Thanks for commenting! :)
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetics
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter
Hide Ad